Marrung Education Plan
Heathmont College acknowledges and pays respects to Elders and all Victorian Aboriginal communities. We honour and respect Traditional Owners, past and present, and value the rich culture and history of the First Peoples of this land.
Heathmont College is proud to be part of the Marrung Education Plan. Marrung is a strategy to ensure that all Koorie Victorians achieve their learning aspirations. Marrung is the Wemba Wemba word for the Murray Cypress pine tree, representing branches of education and knowledge. Which is what the Marrung initative is here for. That is, to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to stay connected to their education and to help educate the school community about First Nation Peoples culture and histories.
Shane Hunt, Marrung Coordinator
Campfire Conversations – Self Determination in Education
On Wednesday 25th May, Heathmont College was proud to host "Campfire Conversations - Self Determination in Education" The evening brought together Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families, young people, Heathmont staff (Kerryn Sandford an, Alice Young (Koorie Education Support Officer), Aboriginal Elders (Aunty Daphne and Aunty Irene) and schools together to listen, share and connect about self-determination in education for our and network school’s Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. We were also lucky enough to have dinner catered by local restaurant, Embers. The campfire conversations were about giving everyone a spot to sit, to listen share and connect with each other. It was a place for storytelling and deep listening. The purpose of the campfires, storytelling and deep listening was to:
- provide Koorie communities opportunities to define self-determination in education.
- explore possibilities for how self-determination could and should look in education.
- build and strengthen partnerships between Koorie communities and schools.
- highlight the benefits of self-determination for whole school communities.
- improve attendance, engagement and achievement for Koorie learners.
- develop a range of changes to improve agency and success for Koorie people in schools.
Birrarung Wilam Stories
On Wednesday 25th May, our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students had the opportunity to participate in the “Birrurung Wilam Stories". Starting at the Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square, students were taken on the Birrarung Wilam (River Camp) Walk, learning about the significance of the Birrarung Wilam to the Wurundjeri peoples, and how the land on which the Birrarung is located has changed over time.
Then, they took in the Aboriginal art installations and Birrarung Marr (side of the river of mists) and students were be led by an experienced Koorie guide from the Trust, hearing stories that promoted and celebrated Victorian Aboriginal Culture.
Students then visited The Channel to edit together a digital story, exploring the topics discussed on the walk. Students used video editing software and audio equipment to narrate a short video piece.
Shane Hunt, Marrung Coordinator
Introduction to the Koorie Engagement Support Officer
My name is Alice Young and I am the Koorie Engagement Support Officer (KESO) for the Outer East, for the Department of Education and Training (DET). My role is to support families, early childhood services and schools to achieve the best educational outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
The Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan, a 10 Year Aboriginal Education Strategy (2016-2026), provides the following initiatives for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children:
- Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) – 15 hours of FREE kindergarten
- Students in Primary, Secondary and Special schools have an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
- Access to regular Student Support Group (SSG) meetings
- Secondary-age school students also have a Career Action Plan
- All Early Childhood services and schools to be culturally inclusive
I am available to attend Student Support Group Meetings (SSG) where we can discuss what is available to support the education of your child/children. For further information and to organise a meeting please contact your school or early years’ service and they will arrange a suitable time.
Below are the local Aboriginal Community Organisations and their websites where you can find information about the programs and support that they offer.
Oonah Belonging Place www.oonah.org.au
Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place https://www.mmigp.org.au
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) https://www.vacca.org
Aboriginal Health Service, Eastern Health
https://www.easternhealth.org.au/site/item/127-aboriginal-health
Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service https://www.bwahs.com.au
Please contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to supporting you and your child/children with their educational journey.
Warm Regards,
Alice Young | Koorie Engagement Support Officer
M: 0455 052 689
E: alice.young@education.vic.gov.au