Cultural Warning – This newsletter might contain images and names of people passed.
Kaya from Boorloo on
Whadjuk Noongar Country
Kaya and Wanjoo to Bunuru,
Late last year, the National Anti-Racism Framework was unveiled. Education institutions and organisations are urged to engage with this, as it outlines recommendations for education to review curricula and policies with a cultural safety lens; learn about and teach anti-racism strategies and concepts; ensure that they develop culturally safe mechanisms of racism reporting, and include opportunities for co-design.
If you are planning for the year, please keep in mind National Reconciliation Week and the 2025 theme of Bridging Now to Next. “Bridging Now to Next that urges us to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.
At a time when Australia faces uncertainty in its reconciliation journey, this theme calls on all Australians to step forward together.
In the #NRW2025 theme artwork created by Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttenshaw, native plants – known for regenerating after fire and thriving through adversity − symbolise our collective strength and the possibilities of renewal. This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together.
Get ready for National Reconciliation Week 2025 by downloading and displaying the posters and resources, sharing the theme on social media, and making plans for how you can use the theme and resources to celebrate the week in your communities and school or early learning service.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day. This is the day we celebrate the efforts to preserve linguistic diversity and promote mother tongues. The day reminds us of the importance of language preservation in safeguarding cultural heritage, improving education, and fostering more peaceful societies.
TheInternational Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is acknowledged as part of Harmony Week in Australia. The catalyst was in 1960 when police in South Africa opened fire on a crowd killing 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid “pass laws. The day reminds us to stand up against racism in our country and around the world.
In 2006, the first National Close the Gap Day wasorganised to recognise and improve the Health of First Nations people in Australia. This followed the Close the Gap Report tabled in parliament in 2009. Held on the third Thursday of March, Close the Gap Day is a time for organisations and community to raise awareness and hold events to draw attention to the Aboriginal health crisis.
The Noongar Season ‘Bunuru’ is represented by the colour orange and is the hottest time of the year.
Bunuru is the hottest time of the year with little to no rain. Hot easterly winds continue with a cooling sea breeze most afternoons – if you're close to the coast.
Traditionally this was, and still is, a great time for living and fishing by the coast, rivers and estuaries. Because of this, freshwater foods and seafood made up major parts of the Noongar people’s diet during Bunuru.
Bunuru is also a time of the white flowers with lots of white flowering gums in full bloom, including jarrah, marri and ghost gums.
Another striking flower to look out for is the female zamia (Macrozamia riedlei). Being much larger than its male counterpart, the huge cones emerge from the centre of the plant with masses of a cotton wool like substance.
As the hot and dry weather continues, the seed cones change from green to bright red, indicating they're ripening and becoming more attractive to animals, particularly the emu, that will eat the toxic fleshy outer layer
Reconciliation Industry Network Group (RING) meetings allow for exchanges of learnings and insights about education-focused reconciliation initiatives across the state, with an integrated focus on Reconciliation Australia’s national Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education program. Each meeting includes a yarning circle to allow members to exchange ideas and activities and a chance to here more extensively from one school/early learning service or organisation.
In 2025, we are going out to schools to hear their reconciliation journeys and collaborating with the Department of Education, the Association of Independent Schools of WA, and Catholic Education WA to bring purpose-built Educator RINGs on topics that will support greater understanding and innovation for reconciliation in schools. These sessions will be accessible online to enable increased access for regional educators. We’d also love to go out to the regions to bring the sharing back to the metro area too.
For early years educators, we will be growing our relationship with Early Childhood Australia to provide specific early childhood Reconciliation events. Of course, going out on-country will also be in the offing. Please stay tuned in coming newsletters for specific details of these exciting developments. If you would like to share your school’s story with the community, please email me at pamela@recwa.org.au
Educator RING at Wesley College
Thursday, 3rd April
4-5.30pm
40 Coode Street, South Perth Western Australia 6151
Wesley College will be hosting our first Educator RING for 2025.
Wesley will be sharing the work they do in Reconciliation across their K-12 school. All educators across all sectors are invited to attend, network and learn from each other. Drinks and nibbles will be provided. Please arrive early (if possible) to ensure we start on time. Further details will be sent to attendees closer to the date. For those who cannot attend in person, the session will be available online.
ECA: Working with Aboriginal STEM knowledges in the classroom
Tuesday, 25th March
6 -8pm
Online only
This Professional Learning session provides the opportunity for educators to explore a new way of engaging with STEM through the lens of Aboriginal knowledges and will be supported to understand its importance with direct connections to SCSA, AITSL and EYLF. The Professional Learning is supported by research and a range of examples of quality, responsive resources and real-world learning experiences.
Here are some resources to support you and your students on the reconciliation journey.
PLUS in each e-newsletter, we will share some resources that a RWA Member has suggested. If you have a resource that you have found useful, please let Pamela know and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter. These are provided as information only, and you may choose to investigate its usefulness for yourself - not all resources are by Aboriginal-owned organisations but have First Nations input.
Reconciliation WA 'Learning Hub'
Have you explored our newest online learning resource? It will support your reconciliation journey! You can explore the rich culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and uncover truths about our shared past. This evolving platform offers insightful truth-telling, valuable resources, and research. You can embark on a learning journey, browse topics, or access tailored resources.
For WA based support in contextualising your RAP, please call or email pamela@recwa.org.au, 0404 801 470.
Narragunnawali does more than provide Reconciliation Action Plans for schools and early learning services across the country.
There are low cost online webinars and workshopsto upskill yourself or your staff. Still not happy with how you are teaching about First Nations cultures and the cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures? Find more lesson plans and resourcesonline at Narragunnawali.org.auor check out their range of toolkitsfor teachers, leaders, students, parents and community. But if you are looking for information on developing a Reconciliation Action Plan, you can watchthis video to get a better idea of the process,or contact us at Reconciliation WA. You can also follow them on Facebookto keep up to date with news and ideas.
Last year's Narragunnawali awards also included a conference. Here is the summary paper for your information:
Held biennially since 2017, the Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education Awards are the only national awards program that recognises and celebrates Australian schools and early learning services that are implementing outstanding reconciliation initiatives. Finalists are acknowledged for strengthening relationships, building respect, and providing meaningful opportunities in the classroom, around the school or service, and with the community.
Schools: this category incorporates primary, secondary, senior secondary and combined schools within the Government, Independent or Catholic sectors.
Early Learning: this category incorporates early childhood education and care, preschool, family day care and out of school hours care services.
Keep an eye on the Narragunnawali Awards page on the website for the start of the application process in March 2025. We had two finalist schools from WA in 2023 and one of them won: Winterfold PS.
Reconciliation In Education Professional Learning Opportunities
Professional Learning opportunities for schools, early learning services, tertiary education programs and professional organisations exist through our Education team at Reconciliation WA. If you would like Pamela Chatfield to present a session to your staff or tertiary students, please contact us to enquire about opportunities. Topics may include (but are not limited to):
Reconciliation and Reconciliation Action Plans (Narragunnawali)
Teaching about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
Curriculum specific topics
National Reconciliation Week and other First Nations significant dates
NQS alignment with First Nations requirements
Anti-Racism education
Choosing quality resources
Tailor a session to your interests/requirements
For professional learning, there is a small charge.
A series of 12 beautifully animated Dreamtime stories from central Arnhem Land. Stories of love, loyalty, duty to Country, and aboriginal custom and law. Each chapter is supported by in-depth study guides created by ATOM, addressing the cross-curriculum priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.
One World Centre
One World Centre is an education and learning resource centre focused on global issues such as human rights, sustainable lifestyles, migration and multiculturalism, and social justice and equality. The OWC specialises in supporting individuals and communities to develop the capabilities that empower them to make positive differences in an increasingly challenging and interconnected world. They also have a range of teaching activities that are suitable for the classroom. This includes an activity to introduce the history of reconciliation in Australia, as well as a range of other pro-social learning
Wandana Aboriginal Education – Early Years Annual Program
This is a purpose built Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural immersion program that covers all significant dates and events throughout the year. This annual Program has 30+ purpose-built videos filmed on Country with related classroom activities. There’s a video to watch with an activity to enjoy nearly every week! Find the children’s favourites and enjoy them again and again. Included is your 2025 Calendar with all significant dates & events marked out for Educators as well as a printed Activity Booklet to guide you on this journey.
Bullying No Way
Culturally responsive resources are available to support schools, students, families and carers to address and respond to bullying.
Schools can use these resources to help First Nations students experiencing bullying to feel respected, heard and supported. They can also help non-Indigenous students to understand the lived experience of First Nations students. Families and carers will find resources to support their child.
Break down myths and have a yarn at your dinner table tonight!
Break down myths and have a yarn at your dinner table tonight!
We are pleased to present our second edition of "Dinner Table Yarns" – a resource designed to inspire meaningful discussions around your staff room, lunch tables, or even your dinner table. In each newsletter, we will feature a card that challenges common misconceptions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture while encouraging critical thinking on important social justice and reconciliation issues.
The second yarn is out today. It's designed to help you dive into an insightful discussion with your colleagues, family and friends. Let's break down barriers, one conversation at a time.
Ready to start? Check out our #3 myth-buster below and get yarning.
Did you know we offer a hands-on cultural program for Year 4 students? Help us spread the word!
Students love this immersive experience led by an Elder, which includes creating sand art and trying on a traditional Booka (kangaroo skin). Based on the HASS Curriculum, it’s a unique opportunity for kids to engage with cultural learning in a fun and interactive way. We’d really appreciate your help in sharing this with Year 4 teachers in your network or at your local school.
We'd love to spotlight one of our Education Facilitators, Narelle Ogilvie. Here she is!
In 2025, we will begin piloting Year 5 (colonial history) and Year 6 (Aboriginal Citizenship Rights) Reconciliation lessons. If you would like to be considered for these, or would like to have your students take part in a Post-Pilot lesson later in the year, let us know!
We will also be developing an art resource for teachers. You can register for this here too.
Why not support the movement and learn more by becoming an individual member or join up your whole family. See the benefits of aDjinda (individual) membership or a Moort(family) membership.
A membership with Reconciliation WA is a way that you can stand with other Western Australians who are dedicated to change. Join usand other like-minded people who want to make a REAL difference in WA. We are committed to building strong partnerships in our Western Australian community — your participation will make a difference. If you have any questions our wonderful Member & Partner team would love to hear from you.
Join us on Facebook
We love seeing what schools and early learning services are up to via the Reconciliation & Education - WA Facebook Group. Join the conversations and share your stories, insights and questions with the community there. I also post there regularly so you can keep up to date with the latest reconciliation news and resources.
Not receiving this e-newsletter straight to your inbox?
If you would like to subscribe to our Education Newsletter, you will receive regular information about embedding reconciliation and networking with others to grow your actions. The newsletter comes out each Nyungar season.
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