Under the Child Safe Standard and Ministerial Order 1359 schools are required to document the measures they are taking to establish culturally safe environments in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children, young people and students are respected and valued.
Reservoir East Primary embraces the vision of the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan and celebrates the rich culture, knowledge and experiences 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 in the school environment.
Reservoir East Primary School has several measures in place to ensure our school community acknowledges and appreciates the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. These measures are outlined below:
● Reservoir East Primary School is a culturally safe environment for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families via the appointment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Support staff member i.e. (Aboriginal Community Support Coordinator).
● Reservoir East Primary School engaged with the local Aboriginal community in Naarm (the indigenous name for the area we now know as Melbourne).
● We actively seek participation and feedback from the Aboriginal students and families and community by acknowledging the existing knowledge of students and their families and seeking their feedback on decisions that affect them, and on how well we are meeting their needs, through initial enrolment meetings, student support groups and during the development of Individual Education Plan.
● Reservoir East Primary School is working closely with our regional Koorie Engagement support officers (KESO) for advice on how we support individual Koorie students and families attending the school.
● Reservoir East Primary School actively partners with the local Naarm community to seek feedback and advice on any new actions, also all policies and procedures that specifically involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We support the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and community members via the advisory committee (which is made up of parents and grandparents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students).
● Reservoir East Primary School have created a culturally safe wellbeing space called the cultural hub/Koorie Room on the school grounds. This space is specifically designed to support the wellbeing needs for all students both indigenous and non-indigenous.
Training and professional development of staff
To ensure our staff and equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to create and maintain a positive and inclusive school environment:
● Reservoir East Primary School ensures our staff participates in Community Understanding and Safety Training (CUST).
● Provide tailored training and professional development each year to build knowledge on any emerging or current areas of need.
● Ensure training and professional development equips teaching staff to deliver Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective within the classroom curriculum.
● Reservoir East Primary School supports teachers to work in their Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to map and develop teaching and learning activities within the Victorian Curriculum priorities to enable staff to build their confidence with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content and to recognise opportunities to draw upon Aboriginal pedagogies and practices within their classrooms.
● Ensure training and professional development equips staff with an understanding and appreciation of the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and its importance to the wellbeing and safety of Indigenous children and students.
Curriculum and Learning
Reservoir East Primary School supports the development of high expectations and individualised learning for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and creates a safe learning environment for all students that acknowledges, respects and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identities including:
● Implementing the Department of Education and Training’s Koorie Education Policy
● Ensuring that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have individual education plans developed in partnership with students, families and KESOs.
● Reservoir East Primary School are currently embedding Aboriginal perspectives into their curriculum through their Cultural Studies specialist class. This class is currently facilitated by an Aboriginal community member working alongside a teacher in a classroom setting.
Assemblies and other school events and activities
We ensure our school events and activities acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders culture by:
● Acknowledging the Country and Traditional Owners of the land on which our school is located on, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, at the start of every school day and at every school assembly and meeting.
● Arranging Welcome to Country by local Elders at major school events such as the opening of new building or campus.
● Recognising and celebrating key events like NAIDOC week, National Sorry Day, Harmony Day.
Building and digital environment
Reservoir East Primary School ensures our built environment and website demonstrates an appreciation and acknowledgment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through:
● Flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags on school grounds
● Display plaques/signs outside our main entrance and in each classroom that acknowledge County and Traditional Owners of which land the school is on.
● Including an Acknowledgement of Country and Traditional Owners on our website home page.
● Statement of apology is currently being worked on and will be on our website by Term 4.
● Reservoir East Primary School engaged with a local Aboriginal artist to design a mural on the school building that represents the school. (Artwork was completed by Emma Bamblett)
Community Feedback
We recognise that our school’s practices must be regularly updated in partnership with our families and local communities. We encourage you to contact Reservoir East Primary School with any feedback, concerns or suggestions.
Review and approval:
Plan last reviewed August 2023
Consultation Napu & Co. Consultant, Rikki Bamblett, Community, School Council, Leadership Team at REPS
Approved by James Cumming, Principal
Next scheduled review date May 2025 (The Action Plan has a mandatory minimum review cycle of 2 years or following a relevant child safety incident.)