Ryan’s Rambling 

Dear Families,

I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend last weekend. The shorter week was timely for many of our staff and students, who were showing signs of fatigue. 

I spent a lot of this week out of school, participating in an immersive cultural development professional learning program, along with principals from across the state. Strengthening Professional Practice in Koorie Education, is a 5-day program, which I chose to engage in this year, as I felt it was an area of my practice that I wanted to strengthen. 

I missed the staff and students, but I found the learning incredibly insightful and inspiring. The facilitators were both indigenous and offered a sincerely genuine and authentic program. I feel so personally grateful to have been offered this opportunity, but so much more gratitude to our dedicated staff who continued to work at school so I could engage in my own personal journey. 

There was a lot of learning that happened over the three days. One of the most profound revelations that was felt amongst the group was that of the connection between and understanding of Country, how this is reflected in our Acknowledgements of Country, in the discussions we have as families and friends, and how the facilitators helped us understand their perspectives of Country. I fully understand that I have a long way to go in my journey, but I am keen to continue! One provocation: When we perform an Acknowledgement to Country, what are we acknowledging? 

Next week, staff from Magpie Primary School will spend the morning at our school looking at our practice. I am excited to be sharing what we do, again, with our colleagues from across schools. It affords us the opportunity to gain feedback through a different lens so that we can continue our improvement journey, too. 

I wish you all a fantastic weekend. 

Ryan 😊