Koorie Education 

& Engagement

The term Koorie is used inclusively and refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Victoria. The Department of Education and the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI), use the term throughout education documentation.

Koorie is a contemporary collective group term and may not be familiar to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Terms such as Aboriginal, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous and First Nations Peoples are also commonly used in teaching and learning resources and practice guidance.

Koorie Education within the Department of Education

Schools are expected to:

• work in partnership with the local Koorie community to develop place-based approaches to improving student outcomes
• support the development of high expectations and individualised learning for Koorie students
• ensure all Koorie students have an individual education plan
• create a learning environment for all students that acknowledges, respects and values Koorie cultures and identities
• view success for their Koorie students as core business.

Schools are also recommended to:

• reflect on current practice
• plan how to implement actions that strengthen self-determination
• plan for and implement actions that improve experiences and outcomes for Koorie learners.

Consistent with the principle of self-determination, Marrung: Aboriginal Education Plan 2016 to 2026 (Marrung) was developed in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI). Strong partnerships with the Koorie community will be the foundation for achieving outcomes for Koorie students in Victoria.

Programs, actions and reforms

Programs, actions, and reforms under Marrung include:

• Campfire Conversations and the Strengthening Aboriginal Self-Determination in Education Report (PDF). For more information, refer to the Strengthening Aboriginal self-determination in education guidance chapter
• Community Understanding and Safety Training (CUST) which empowers school staff to foster culturally inclusive environments that enhance Koorie students’ wellbeing
• guidance for schools on meeting the requirements of Child Safe Standard 1 – establishing a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued
• supporting schools to use Individual Education Plans, including trialling Koorie student and family support plans through the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO)
• undertaking research to identify factors that contribute to academic achievement (including higher NAPLAN and ATAR score) and implementing supporting strategies
• Marrung education scholarships for high achieving Aboriginal students studying years 11 and 12 in government schools.

Koorie Engagement Support Officer

KESOs are area based professionals who are members of the local Aboriginal community with an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the histories. KESOs provide advice to schools about culturally inclusive learning environments, and the co-ordination of services to facilitate improved engagement of Koorie children and young people.

KESOs play an integral role to engage families, communities, education and service providers to facilitate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners to participate fully in education. They support all learning settings to transition students and families across all learning stages where appropriate: into early years, primary, secondary and further education.