Diversity and Inclusion

What is Diversity?

Diversity is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs.  We are all people with the same wants and needs, but, we are all different and unique from each other.  

What does inclusive behaviour look like?

Inclusivity is when your actions towards family, friends and the community make them feel they are valued and accepted.   The words we use, the accommodations we make and the behaviour we display can be the difference between a person feeling included and valued or excluded and alone.  

At Yarrabah some of the ways we show inclusiveness and appreciation of diversity are:  

• Using the pronouns people choose for themselves;
• Acknowledging and appreciating that we work and learn on the land of the traditional custodians;
• Using inclusive language;
• Focusing on the person as a whole;
• Reaching out to specific communities in their times of need;
• Checking with those living the experience what terminology and labels they prefer for themselves and using them even if it's not what we would choose;
• Embracing our differences and learning from and about each other;
• Our staff continuously improve their professional development by participating in current training sessions about cultural awareness and sensitivity and respectful relationships
• Inviting you all to share about your culture, traditions and differences; and
• Using different forms of communication, such as keyword signs, speech output devices and core vocabulary boards and making adjustments and adaptations to ensure that we are an accessible school.

What else can we do?  We would love to hear your suggestions.  

It is never too early to talk with children about diversity and inclusiveness.  Here are some books that you can read as a family.

It's Okay to be different by Todd Parr

Bodies are cool by Tyler Feder 

Julián is a Mermaid By Jessica Love

This is how we do it by Matt Lamothe

I Have the Right to Be a Child by Alain Serres and illustrated by Aurélia Fronty

The Journey by Francesca Sanna

Love makes a family by Sophie Beer

We're all wonders by R.J. Palachio

Yarrabah families, staff and community!  We would love it if you could share a bit about your culture and background.  This could be a recipe, a story about where you have come from, a snapshot or artwork of your favourite celebration or custom or anything else that will help us to learn about and embrace everyone and their differences in our community.  

We are all different, but we all want and need the same things.  Love, friendship and acceptance.

Send your contributions to Sharyn by email at yarrabah.sch@education.vic.gov.au .