Cultural Safety Policy – Reservoir East Primary School
Under the Child Safe Standards and Ministerial Order 1359, schools are required to document the measures they take to establish culturally safe environments in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, and students are respected and valued.
Reservoir East Primary School embraces the vision of the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan and celebrates the rich culture, knowledge and history of First Nations Peoples. We are committed to creating and maintaining a school environment that empowers First Nations students and families to feel valued, respected, and culturally safe.
School-Wide Commitments and Practices
Reservoir East Primary School has implemented the following measures to ensure our school community acknowledges, celebrates, and strengthens Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures:
Dedicated Staff Member: A designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Support Staff member (e.g. Aboriginal Community Support Coordinator) supports culturally responsive practices and engagement with families.
Community Engagement: We actively engage with the local Aboriginal community in Naarm (Melbourne) and seek opportunities to strengthen these partnerships.
Family Voice & Participation: We regularly seek input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families, and community members through a range of formal and informal mechanisms:
Initial enrolment conversations
Student Support Groups (SSGs)
Development and review of Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
Culturally inclusive school decision-making processes
Regional Partnership: We work closely with our regional Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESOs) to ensure culturally safe and responsive educational experiences for our Koorie students and their families.
Advisory Committee: Our school maintains an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee, comprised of parents, grandparents, and carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, to support culturally informed decision-making and feedback on school policies and initiatives.
Cultural Hub / Koorie Room: A dedicated culturally safe wellbeing space on school grounds (the Cultural Hub/Koorie Room) provides support and connection for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.
Training and Professional Development
To equip staff with the knowledge, skills, and cultural understanding needed to uphold cultural safety:
Staff participate in Community Understanding and Safety Training (CUST) and other Department-endorsed professional development.
Tailored PD sessions are offered annually to address emerging needs and deepen cultural understanding.
Staff are supported to integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into the curriculum, aligned with the Victorian Curriculum.
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are encouraged to embed Aboriginal pedagogies and build staff confidence in delivering culturally inclusive teaching practices.
Curriculum and Learning
Reservoir East Primary School is committed to high expectations and personalised learning for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students by:
Implementing the Department of Education’s Koorie Education Policy
Ensuring that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have Individual Education Plans (IEPs) developed collaboratively with families and KESOs.
Embedding Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum, including through a dedicated Cultural Studies specialist class co-facilitated by an Aboriginal community member.
School Events and Celebrations
We acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through:
Daily Acknowledgement of Country by students or staff, recognising the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and repeated at all school assemblies and meetings.
Welcome to Country ceremonies performed by local Elders at major events (e.g. new building openings).
Recognising and celebrating key cultural dates, including:
NAIDOC Week
National Sorry Day
Harmony Week
Building and Digital Environment
We ensure our school’s built and digital environments reflect and respect Aboriginal culture through visual displays, online presence and inclusion of culturally safe feedback mechanisms such as:
Flying both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags on school grounds year-round.
Acknowledgment plaques/signs displayed in the entrance and classrooms, recognising the Traditional Owners of the land.
Featuring an Acknowledgement of Country and Statement of Apology prominently on the school website.
Commissioning a mural by local Aboriginal artist Emma Bamblett, representing the school and its connection to Aboriginal culture.
Continuous Improvement, Monitoring and Feedback
Reservoir East Primary School recognises that creating a culturally safe environment is an ongoing commitment that must be continually reviewed and strengthened. We welcome and encourage feedback from our families and community members on how we can improve our practices.
Please contact the school directly with any feedback, concerns, or suggestions to support this commitment.
Review and approval:
Plan last reviewed August 2025
Consultation Napu & Co. Consultant, Rikki Bamblett, Community, School Council, Leadership Team at REPS
Approved by James Cumming, Principal
Next scheduled review date August 2027
(The Action Plan has a mandatory minimum review cycle of 2 years or following a relevant child safety incident.)