Our Committment to Reconciliation

Our RAP

These past weeks our staff team have re-engaged with our Reconciliation Action Plan at Curiosity which has been exciting.  Last year, we entered into some professional learning around cultural sensitivity and the importance of having a Reconciliation Plan. Through this learning we designed our Vision Statement that we would like to share with you for feedback.  

Our Vision for Reconciliation at Curiosity

"Curiosity Early Learning Centre is settled on Kaurna Country a place where we live, learn and embrace all Peoples. As a community of faith we believe that all people are made in the image of God to walk alongside each other with respect. We acknowledge that our history comes from a place of struggle and hurt, and we commit to being proactive about the future of seeing a reconciled Australia. Together we are committed to honouring First Nations voice, perspectives and hopes for the future by creating a culturally safe environment where a journey of healing is embraced through the presence of God."

On Tuesday May 21, I had the privilege of sitting with 30 other school leaders to listen deeply to Uncle John an Elder from Cooper Pedy.  

"Talking is where the best knowledge is found.  A place where we celebrate differences and are not fearful of each other, as this is how we learn from each other."

Our team have come together to talk and prioritise our Actions for our RAP.

These are:

1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the Classroom

2. Early Years Learning Framework & Curriculum Planning

3. Cultural Responsiveness for Staff

4. Welcome to Country

5. Celebrate National Reconciliation Week

6. Build Relationships with Community

7. Cultural Responsiveness for Students and Children

8. Teach About Reconciliation

9. Explore Current Affairs and Issues 

10. Acknowledgement of Country

11. Care for Country

12. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags

13. Take Action Against Racism

14. Inclusive Policies

15. Staff Engagement with RAP

16. RAP Budget Allocation

17. Celebrate RAP Success

We will continue to talk, listen and learn as we seek knowledge that represents a true understanding of the things of the past and the gift for a greater future for First Nations People.

We would love to have you on the journey!

Your Participation

We would ask families to consider reflecting on our Vision Statement and making any comments within our Storypark thread on the topic.

If you are interested in joining our RAP working group, we would love to have you join us. Meetings will be held once a term for 2hrs (hybrid participation available) and we would love participants to support our research and further events.

If you are interested, please email Jacqui:  jacqui.gliddon@gspv.sa.edu.au

Reconciliation Week

Next week, we commence Reconciliation Week (May 27 - June 3) by focusing on Sorry Day, Friday May 26.  As we share with children the nature of this day, we can often be presented with the question of, "What do I have to be sorry for, I was not there nor did anything to anyone?"  

At Curiosity, we never force a child nor expect them to say 'sorry' unless the position of the child's motivation is to change their behaviour as they have seen the impact of their choices.  As we give time to talk with the children about their attitudes, choices and behaviours it is the change of motivation and future behaviour that we are interested in. Words are empty without action.  Our hope for this learning is for the children to see that there is a way forward and to be advocates for change through knowing the truth about the past (in a manner that is child appropriate).

During Reconciliation Week and the weeks to follow, we will be learning alongside the children around the following knowledges and perspectives:

1. First Nations People, were the first people to live in Australia.
2. People from other countries wanted to live here too.  Rather than asking and joining the First Nations People, they took the land from them and sent some of them away from their families.
3. The land, the sky, the seas, the animals and the weather hold significant meaning to the First Nations People as there is believed to be special connections with the spirits.
4. Dreaming and laws are important to the First Nations People.  This helps them to stay safe, show respect and take care of each other and the land.
5. We are invited to walk alongside First Nations People, to learn from them so that we can live in harmony and with respect.
6. To walk together, we need to know that First Nations People have not been respected or cared for, and so we have the opportunity to do better.

We know that children have a deep sense of empathy for others and so as we explore these truths and knowledge we will listen deeply and give time for conversation.  

As a family you might like to explore your understanding of a reconciled Australia.  Maybe it could be a great opportunity to see what actions your workplace has in place and to seek out your Reconciliation Action Plan?

A book that we use parts of to share the history of Reconciliation Week.  The full version of the book can be viewed by caregivers.

If you would like to discuss any of this content, I ask that you make a time to see me.  I would be more than happy to talk together.