Wellbeing
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education
Wellbeing programs and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander education have a lot in common. They both support the importance of connection and relationship building, they promote positive holistic development and they emphasis the importance of finding cultural strengths and a sense of self and identity.
At Vermont Primary School, we would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation who are the traditional owners of the land on which we learn, work and play. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
On Monday afternoon, the staff at VPS were lucky enough to have a special guest come and speak about Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander education, history and how we can make big difference with small actions moving forward.
Our guest speaker's name was Scott Darlow. He is an Aboriginal singer, songwriter, public speaker and educator from Yorta Yorta country. He spent time with us sharing his culture and his heart for Reconciliation. Scott spoke incredibly passionately about Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture and how we, as educators, can teach Australian history in a truthful, yet compassionate manner.
There are many parallels to be drawn between supporting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander education and Wellbeing in schools. A powerful acronym that Scott taught us was FLUTE.
F – Forgive. Feelings of anger, resentment, betrayal and sadness, are all emotions that we feel from time to time but Scott spoke of the importance of letting these uncomfortable feelings go. When we harbour these feelings and hold onto them, the only person who is going to be impacted is ourselves.
L – Love. Love is a language that every culture around the world can speak. No matter your heritage, where you are from, what you believe or how you identify, showing love, kindness and genuine care towards people, animals and the world around us can boost feelings of happiness and self-worth for both people involved.
U – Understanding. By understanding different perspectives and showing compassion for peoples’ stories, we create a community of acceptance and become drivers of change.
T – Tolerance. We may not always get along with or like everyone we meet, but tolerance teaches us to be patient, open-minded and approach people with a positive-lens and frame of mind.
E – Empathy. Empathy allows us to connect with others on a deeper level by understanding their emotions and perspectives. This understanding, fosters trust and strengthens bonds, whether in personal relationships, the workplace, or within communities.
These 5 principals are the foundation to creating a society where individuals care for one another and work towards the common good. It encourages inclusive behaviours, reduces prejudice and misinformation, and supports social cohesion, leading to a more harmonious community.
With these notions driving us in every aspect of our lives, we can create an all-encompassing, supportive and safe environment for all our children both at school and at home.
If you have any questions or queries surrounding Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander education, please reach out to Bronwyn Moore – bronwyn.moore@education.vic.gov.au
If you would like more information about anything related to Wellbeing such as Friendology, Respectful Relationships, student wellbeing or individual concerns you may have, please reach out to Louise Jarvis – louise.jarvis@education.vic.gov.au
Have a lovely weekend,
Louise Jarvis (Wellbeing Specialist) & Bronwyn Moore (Marrung Leader)