Cultural Champions News
Our First Nations Education Facilitators have worked tirelessly to ensure compliance with the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), that was created last year. Listed are a few highlights, with opportunities in Term 4 to gather and celebrate the remarkable progress that has been made with this group.
Historical Glimpse of Action:
Key First Nations Australians staff employed Ms Tesha Cox, Aunty Di Price, Auntie Jennie
Resource Centre Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artefacts displayed
Collaboration of Community Artwork with Shannon Brett - displayed in MPSC
National Apology and the DoE Commitment to First Nations People in foyer of school
NAIDOC Week celebrations; Artwork displayed in A block conference room
Tea with Aunties each semester
Key stakeholder First Nations Peoples Education Committee
2021
Mar: Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee formation; families, staff and community invited
Apr: RAP Committee met - 13 interested members including community, parents and staff
May: Sorry Day – Principal read the National Apology over PA to all form classes Jul, Sep: RAP drafted and formalised; initiatives included into school calendar; FNEF action group draft recognising success cultural safety program for students/ draft badge designs
Oct: Senior Graduation Ceremony showcased smoking ceremony and didgeridoo player; Formed FNEF - (First Nations Education Facilitators) group; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to develop BRSHS Living Cultural program and activities in school year; BRSHS Living Deadly Mob Yarn – 66 students and family members gather and yarn about mob and country connections; aim for a mob yarn each term to build cultural identity.
Nov: RAP Working Document Launched and ratified by Reconciliation Australia with school council, families, students and staff invited; Welcome to Turrbul country sign displayed in every class; Acknowledgement of Country wording included in student planner and on school website/stationery; Developed working relationships with Zillmere Kurbingui organisation to enrich school program with additional support and community elders.
2022
Feb: Leadership Induction Ceremony – Welcome to Country by Uncle Alex;
Mar: FNEF and Wellbeing Team collaboration; QATSIF student scholarships application
May: 26th Sorry Day whole school assembly, Family Story led by Ms Tesha Cox; National Reconciliation Week activities and whole school involvement; First Nations Australiana Spice Markets (First Nations Australians Food HPJ event), Uncle Alex and Kurbingui guests attend event
Jun: Staff professional development training – Crossing cultures workshop;
Jul: NAIDOC Week activities and whole school involvement; Purchase of new library, wellbeing and teaching resources;
Aug: Student success program highlighted to Leadership Team; Student badges finalised
Sep: Cultural Capability Training professional development, Sharon Davies – Black Card Capability Training & State Library Family Histories Unit PD
Oct: Cultural Champions newsletter included on school website to share First Nations Australians Education news and the schools reconciliation progress; First Nations Peoples Education survey – students, parents, staff; Formal review of RAP working document
Nov: First Nations Australians Champions Workshops developed to address cross cultural perspectives, histories, embedded curriculum; Living Deadly Mob Yarn Family BBQ and introduce Brack-n-Deadly Recognising Success Program ready for launch 2023. – ready for delivery in 2023.
2023
Living Deadly Mob BBQ & Yarns – continued each term, with more families connecting with community leaders and Elders and enjoying a relaxed afternoon of banter. Thanks to Uncle David Miller and Uncle Alex Davidson for their ongoing support and attendance at our Mob Gatherings. Families and students have been able to enjoy shared stories, shared classroom progress and student insights. This contributes greatly to a stronger connection with teachers and education goals and allows parents to chat with teachers about any concerns or difficulties.
Brack-n-Deadly Awards – we have recognised student progress and cultural achievements through these awards and badges. Students have been awarded certificates and badges that are symbolic of 6 focus areas – attendance, academic achievement, mob kinship and relationships, country connection, respect for cultural self identity and understanding connection to others. The aim of the program is to ensure a strong cultural identity is nurtured and empowers are students to learn, to grow in the schooling system and to achieve success.
Brack-n-Didge Club – A handful of our young men have started a cultural mentoring program with parent mentor Larry Johnson and teacher mentor Vincent Clout each Monday morning for half an hour. Special guests also get involved, including: Neile Monashine (Police Liaison Officer Boondall) and Lindsay Davies (Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary)
Kurbingui Bridge program – Our young women mentoring group meet weekly on Monday morning for half an hour and have this year worked with Tane Pomare and Kai from Kurbingui and Aunty Di Price (our school Elder and First Nations Teacher Aide). The group have worked through cultural expression activities including sketching, sculpture, botanical art and dance.
RAP – Reconciliation Australia endorsed our RAP in Nov 2022 and outlines the school activities, events and programs that the RAP committee of parents, community members and staff have agreed to achieve. The focus is to promote reconciliation and unity in our school that includes a focus on positive programs addressing anti-racism and no bullying. Thanks to our RAP co-chairwomen are Mrs Sharon Davies and Aunty Di Price, who have provided constant guidance on cultural matters and perspectives; and advocated for our First Nations Students and Families.
The BRSHS First Nations Education Team – FNET – Team of 6 regular staff members meet monthly to plan, develop and implement the events and activities that occur within the school calendar. Lead by Sharon Davies, proud Kooma-Guwamu woman, and Elder Aunty Di, the FNET team ensures equitable student advocacy and voice on school topics.
2024
Feb – FNET team is renewed and builds in numbers to 12 regular staff members and leaders.
Mar - RAP action plan was finalised. This was the culmination of over 10 monthly meetings to deepen our first RAP into broader, stronger cultural immersion programs as identified and supported by the parents, community members and staff on the RAP Committee.
- Mob BBQ & Yarn – a big welcome to our new families and students joining us in year 7. Many Brack-n-Deadly certificates and badges were presented to proud successful students! Lovely to share such a great celebration with our Elders Aunty Di and Uncle David and our First Nations families.
April – RAP is ratified by Reconciliation Australia and is published on their website.
