Aboriginal Education
"Aboriginal education is not only appropriate education of Aboriginal students, but must also involve the education of all Australian students about Indigenous Australia. Participation and outcomes of Aboriginal students will improve when indigenous cultures, history and contemporary issues are integral to the curriculum for all students" NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc.1995
The following basic principles underpin the Aboriginal Education Policy:
- All students are entitled to learn about Aboriginal Australia, understanding that Aboriginal communities are the custodians of knowledge about their own culture and history.
- Aboriginal students are entitled to high quality; culturally appropriate education and training programmes as a foundation for lifelong learning.
- Teaching and learning programs reflect the diverse needs of our Aboriginal students.
- Aboriginal communities are entitled to negotiate the decisions that affect their children’s schooling.
- Aboriginal students are entitled to feel safe and secure in expressing and developing their own identity, and participate in a system which is free of racism and prejudice.
- Opportunities are provided for all students to learn about the values and attitudes related to social justice, intercultural understanding, beliefs, moral codes and lifelong learning.
- Past, current and future related issues, ideas, problems and trends are considered and investigated.
At St Andrew's Cathedral School's Gawura campus our students:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
- Social systems and structures
- Environments
- Change and continuity
Are supported in developing their skills in:
- Acquiring information
- Using an inquiry process
- Social and civic participation
Are engaged in learning experiences that encourage interest in and informed attitudes towards:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history
- Cultural understandings
- Beliefs and moral codes
- Intercultural understanding
- Lifelong learning
Are provided with learning experiences that incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies and perspectives in variety of areas, such as:
- Cross-curriculum
- Citizenship
- Environmental
- Gender
- Multicultural
- Work perspectives
