2024 Lynette Russell First People’s History Prize 

Clifton Hill Primary is thrilled to be the joint winner of the 2024 Lynette Russell First People’s History Prize.

See the judges comments below:

Congratulations to the Clifton Hill Primary School community on being jointly awarded the Lynette Russell First People’s History prize in schools. As there were multiple entries from this school, the judges felt that the whole school community should be recognised for its commitment to recognising, respecting and celebrating First Nations histories, cultures and perspectives. 

It is evident the school is seeking to foster relational engagement with Wurundjeri Country, Wurundjeri community and Woiwurrung language, as well as centring First Nations students and families as they work develop culturally safe practices, policies and teaching and learning. The scale and scope of this work shows that a commitment to foregrounding First Nations perfectives through primary school history can and should extend through and beyond classroom curriculum experiences.

This is illustrated by some of the examples outlined in the entries. The grade 5 inquiry unit, Those who came before us, with its focus on different perspectives on colonisation, encourages students to personally engage with living and learning on Wurundjeri Country though unique and embodied acknowledgments of Country, often incorporating Woi Wurrung words. 

The wisdom and endurance of First Nations ways of knowing and being and care for Country through cultural burning is beautifully voiced by Grade 3 in their song Keep the fire burning: “Listen to the Elders, listen to them sing, the culture is a part of everything.” As they sing, “it’s all too deadly.” Further artistic celebration of the diversity of First Nations histories and cultures across Australia is evident in the amazing school production, Ngulu-Nganjin (everyone’s voice in Woiwurrung). 

Created in collaboration with First Nations parents and Wurrundjeri community, cultural protocols were followed for the weaving in of different First Nations languages to develop an “immersive creative experience exploring First Nations cultures.” We look forward to the 2025 production, which will continue this tradition.

The listening and learning showcased by Clifton Hill Primary School demonstrates that respect for and recognition of the deeply embedded history and culture of this place is key to building collective and individual historical consciousness in children that is historically just and culturally connected. It shows that when led or guided by First Nations families, leaders and community members, non-Indigenous teachers and school leaders can facilitate this important work in culturally safe ways, which is essential to the learning experiences of Indigenous and non-indigenous students. Although the school says it is “at the start of this journey”, the judges think this is a space in which Clifton Hill Primary School is leading and can be proud of everyone involved.

Dr Rebecca Cairns