Aboriginal Education with Integrity
Beyond Dreamtime Stories and Dot Paintings
In 2021, to accelerate school improvement, four Priority Project Staff Roles were established at Mosman Prep. These included:
- Student leadership (Ms Serena Hannon)
- Sustainability (now Mr Brendan Frost)
- Data Management to inform teaching, learning, and wellbeing (Mr Tim Hudson)
- Community Connections - particularly Aboriginal Education and Queenwood Connections (Ms Ellie Mackay)
Central to Aboriginal Education has been the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The School is indebted to Ms Ellie Mackay and Mrs Nikki McMillan for their vision and work in the development of Mosman Prep’s RAP which has this week been submitted to Reconciliation Australia for review.
Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation. Based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination. (Reconciliation Australia)
The development of the plan has confirmed our commitment to a genuine, rich, sequenced program of Aboriginal Education for our boys.
Our RAP has resulted in many powerful developments such as:
- Formation of a RAP Committee.
- Aboriginal Education Scope and Sequence.
- Advisory and Educational relationship established with a local Guringai man.
- Professional development for staff.
- Displaying of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in the Centenary Pathway.
- Review and rework of our School Acknowledgement of Country.
- Visits and workshops from local Aboriginal community members for our boys.
- Ongoing connection with and support of Kulai Aboriginal Preschool in Coffs Harbour (fundraising, visits, donations).
- The current design and development of a ‘Yarning Circle’ and garden with traditional plants used by Aboriginal people (at our Terrey Hills campus), in consultation with local Aboriginal community members.
The Year 5 Coffs Harbour and Year 6 Central Australia Trips take our connection with Aboriginal Communities to the next level, as our boys make positive connections with Aboriginal people of the regions. The boys develop even greater respect for Aboriginal people and culture by learning from them about the history of the land and their culture, and how we can care for the land more responsibly.
Over the past two years, our Year 5 boys raised over $7000 for the Kulai Aboriginal Preschool, purchasing books, sporting resources, blankets, embroidered hats, and a dishwasher for the staff. Our boys also engaged in confidence course activities, Aboriginal cultural immersions, and had meals with Aboriginal children from local Coffs Harbour schools.
We have developed an Aboriginal Education learning experience with integrity, which will help our boys to grow in their understanding and appreciation of, and respect for, Aboriginal history and culture, including the importance of committing to reconciliation.
Peter Grimes | Headmaster
