Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People in the Classroom
Rationale
The department is committed to ensuring that every Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child and young person in NSW achieves their potential through education. Including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in classrooms is vital when teaching their histories and cultures. The participation of people from the local Aboriginal community allows the curriculum to be explored at a local level, making studies more relevant to students. Providing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with the opportunity to become involved in school programs gives authenticity to local Aboriginal perspectives. Students, schools and communities all benefit from encouraging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to share their knowledge and life stories.
This fact sheet details the importance of having members of the local Aboriginal community in the classroom and the benefits of including and teaching local perspectives. It identifies areas where Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people can provide guidance and advice to non-Aboriginal teachers and educators.
Timeframe for use:
This resource can be accessed and utilised by all staff at any time.
Intended audience:
Teachers, staff and principals. This resource can be used by a range of school-based staff to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.
Instructions for use:
Schools can seek the assistance from their Local or Regional Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG). Details for use can be found in the resource.
Evidence base:
Alignment to system priorities and/or needs:
Aboriginal Education Policy:
The department will provide Aboriginal cultural education for all staff and education about Aboriginal Australia for all students, as it is everybody’s business. The strength, diversity, ownership and richness of Aboriginal cultures and custodianship of country are respected, valued and promoted. The department is committed to collaborative decision making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, parents, caregivers, families and their communities.
Alignment to School Excellence Framework:
Learning Domain – Wellbeing, Learning Domain – Curriculum, Learning – Reporting Teaching Domain – Effective classroom Practice, Teaching Domain – Professional Standards, Teaching Domain – Learning and Development, Leading Domain – Educational Leadership.
Consulted with:
NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. (NSW AECG).
Reviewed by:
Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate.
Created/last updated:
December 2023.
Anticipated resource review date:
This resource will be reviewed in December 2024. To ensure ongoing improvement of this resource, feedback on this resource can be provided via the survey or QR code below.
Key Information
Having Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in classrooms is vital when teaching their histories and cultures. When students can link their learning to local perspectives, it is more authentic and purposeful.
The benefits of inclusion
Members of the local Aboriginal community, including parents and family of students, may be interested in spending time at your school. Students will enjoy the opportunity to build relationships with and learn from people other than their teachers. These guests can bring unique skills and knowledge to the classroom, but these opportunities will only emerge over time as your relationship with the community develops and strengthens.
Including and teaching local perspectives
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people can provide guidance and advice to non-Aboriginal teachers and educators about:
- How to embed Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander perspectives in learning activities appropriately,
- When learning activities should be led by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
When teaching about Aboriginal issues it is important that you do not rely solely on texts which in many cases provide only a national overview of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait history and culture. Wherever possible, focus your study on local community experiences. Concrete local examples have more meaning for students and at the same time demonstrate the diversity of experiences of Aboriginal people and communities throughout NSW.
Non-Aboriginal people may not have the authority to speak about certain aspects of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and cannot speak for or about the experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Therefore, some learning experiences should always be led by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
As your relationship with the Aboriginal community grows, arrange for community Elders to visit your school and interact with the students.
The NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. (AECG) can support you in embedding local perspectives and assist in having Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the classroom.
For more information contact
Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate
Level 8, 105 Phillip Street,
Parramatta, NSW 2150
PH: 02 7814 3507
E: aopcorrespondence@det.nsw.edu.au