At Millen Primary School, we use the Department of Education’s Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework to guide our progress towards being a culturally responsive school. The framework gives us a basis to reflect on our approaches to Aboriginal education, strive for improvement, and further engage Aboriginal families and communities in schooling. Our operational planning includes strategies to help staff better understand the needs of Aboriginal students and families, and resourcing to support our Aboriginal students to reach their potential.
Teachers look for opportunities to incorporate the cross-curriculum Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures priority into teaching and learning programs. Throughout Term 2, classroom and specialist teachers plan authentic cross-curricular teaching and learning programs that embed Aboriginal perspectives, culminating in our NAIDOC assembly. We recognise important days like Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week.
Some year levels have been involved in Noongar language lessons, and Noongar language is visible across our school with Noongar names for factions and classrooms. We are working to embed Noongar words into everyday use by the Millen community.
Millen’s First Nation students in Years 4, 5 and 6 form the Aboriginal Leadership Team. These students meet weekly to learn about their history and culture. The Aboriginal Leadership Team share this knowledge with the school community to work towards a common understanding of the past and to create a shared vision for the future.
We have a space, Koolangas Moort Beedawong, where families can meet with each other and our Aboriginal Education Officer. This was named by the Aboriginal Leadership Team, as was the garden in the centre of the school – Noonakoort Dandjoo.
Our ongoing partnership with Clontarf Aboriginal College facilitates rich, positive experiences for students from both schools and is highly valued by the students.
We will continue to focus on creating welcoming and supportive learning environments and building collaborative relationships to ensure learning is relevant, connected and appropriate to achieve education success for all students.