Yaama Ngindaay!

Welcome to the 2021 school year. I look forward to working with our staff, students and families again this year in my role as Aboriginal Education Teacher.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures is a cross-curriculum priority in the Australian Curriculum. The curriculum states that ‘the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority is designed for all students to engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.’ At St Kevin’s we have a very supportive community where we respect all cultures and celebrate diversity.

You may have seen a news item on NBN last Friday night which featured St Kevin’s and our school captains Emme and Cristiano, both of whom are Aboriginal. This news item also highlighted our school’s ongoing commitment to respecting cultures and diversity.

Craig Duncan, our Aboriginal Education Officer at the Catholic Schools Office, was also interviewed for the news item. In an article in mnnews.today last year, Craig summed up the importance of Aboriginal perspectives in school learning: “It’s about having a conversation and sharing our knowledge. Providing all Australians with the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal history and culture will aid reconciliation efforts, enable us to grow as a nation and build on thousands of years of wisdom. Today's generation of students is learning this from the get-go, which gives me great confidence."

This year we have 15 Aboriginal students at St Kevin’s across all grades. This represents 12% of the school population which is a very healthy representation. I bring the students together each week to learn and yarn about Aboriginal culture, Dreaming stories and history. I also work in each classroom to help students and teachers.

May God bless us as we work together for the good of all in our community, for Reconciliation and Respect.

Phil Taylor

Aboriginal Education Teacher