Working with Aboriginal Communities
Amy, you are incredibly lucky to have both an AEO and an AERT as part of your school's staff!
As outlined in the teaching and support roles page, AEO's and AERT's help schools to develop strong, positive relationships with the Aboriginal school community. You will probably find that at your school there are already a number of programs and strategies in place that the school has developed to promote Aboriginal community members to engage with the school. These may include things such as a Koori Room (a room in the school where Aboriginal community members are welcome at any time and Aboriginal resources are kept) , staff, parent and community dinners as well as ties with the local medical centre or neighbourhood groups.
The two documents below will develop your understanding of how to effectively work with Aboriginal people and communities. Use them to build an understanding of what you as an individual teacher can do as well as what your school may all ready be doing or what they could do.
The two documents below will develop your understanding of how to effectively work with Aboriginal people and communities. Use them to build an understanding of what you as an individual teacher can do as well as what your school may all ready be doing or what they could do.
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Some key points and tips to begin with:
- Get to know the area in which your school community is based.
- Look at the Aboriginal language maps (you can find these on the Aboriginal Resources) page and find out more about your area.
- Get in contact with your local AECG (Aboriginal Educaton Consultative Group) to ensure you are up to date with the latest progress in Aboriginal Education and so you can meet the people in the community.
- Become involved with school and community events such as breakfast clubs, fun days and celebrations such as NAIDOC week.
Why you need to develop positive relationships with the Aboriginal community
'Aboriginal people are the owners and custodians of their knowledge and culture. They have the right to be consulted when aspects of Aboriginal history and culture are being incorporated into the curriculum' (Board of Studies 2008 p2).
To effectively teach Aboriginal Education and integrate Aboriginal perspectives across all Key Learning Areas it is essential to consult your local Aboriginal community. By involving Aboriginal people in the development and implementation of learning programs and units of work you can be sure that Aboriginal history, culture and issues are taught respectfully and correctly.
When schools have positive relationships with their local Aboriginal community it is more likely that Reconciliation will take place. Consulting Aboriginal people will also enable syllabus content to be related to a local level, making it more relevant to student lives and enhancing student learning. It is important to remember when working with Aboriginal communities and people that it is a two way process, both groups need to learn from one another (Board of Studies 2008).
To effectively teach Aboriginal Education and integrate Aboriginal perspectives across all Key Learning Areas it is essential to consult your local Aboriginal community. By involving Aboriginal people in the development and implementation of learning programs and units of work you can be sure that Aboriginal history, culture and issues are taught respectfully and correctly.
When schools have positive relationships with their local Aboriginal community it is more likely that Reconciliation will take place. Consulting Aboriginal people will also enable syllabus content to be related to a local level, making it more relevant to student lives and enhancing student learning. It is important to remember when working with Aboriginal communities and people that it is a two way process, both groups need to learn from one another (Board of Studies 2008).