Calrossy Anglican School

Calrossy Indigenous Program 

Introducing our new Indigenous Student Coordinator

 

Dear Parents and Carers of Indigenous Students,

 

Yaama maliyaa. Hello friends.

 

I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Hannah Pollard and in 2022 I have taken up the role of Indigenous Student Co-ordinator at Calrossy. I grew up near Tingha, on Nucoorilma Gamilaroi land and have always held a deep respect for the land, her people and culture. I am a farmer and a teacher and have previously been a youth worker and chaplain.

 

This email is just a “hello” to our Indigenous families and supporters and an invitation for you to get in touch with me. I’m very keen to have a good flow of communication, especially about the needs of students who need extra support, and to have your advice on how we can promote respect and a love of culture in the school

 

This year we have over 60 Indigenous students and I will be working across all parts of the school to improve the educational outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. I’ll also be gathering ideas for how we can celebrate Indigenous culture as a school and ensure that we have an inclusive and welcoming community.

 

My email address is: indigenouscoordinator@calrossy.nsw.edu.au. I also have a school phone number and will be available to answer most days (I am part-time) between 8am and 5pm: 02 5776 5280.

 

I have included below a basic outline of some of the projects that I have already identified as part of my role. I welcome any feedback or assistance that you would like to offer.

 

Thank you for your time.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Hannah Pollard

Some projects, ideas and programs planned for 2022 are:

  • Assisting student leaders (Yrs 9 – 12) and providing opportunities to connect with each other and with culture through conversation and activities (for example, Bouldering, yarning circle, camps)
  • Building mentoring relationships with students and assisting already established relationships to continue
  • Creating and reviewing Personal Learning Plans/Pathways for each student (Prep – Year 12) so that they and their teachers can work toward their goals
  • Helping students identify where they would like academic assistance and providing that assistance
  • Ensuring that our boarding students are well supported and feel comfortable and welcome in their “home-away-from-home”
  • Facilitating leaders, elders and role models to come into the school (when Covid restrictions allow) to encourage and equip students
  • Developing a whole school Reconciliation Action Plan in consultation with indigenous students, parents and community members
  • Encouraging teachers as they incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into everyday classroom education
  • Promoting and creating “On country” experiences including camps that allow students to connect with culture outside of the school environment
  • Co-ordinating whole-school celebration of Indigenous culture, including special days/weeks such as Harmony Week/International Day for the elimination of Racial Discrimination, Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week and Indigenous Literacy Day
  • Reviewing Scholarships for Indigenous students and expanding the scholarship program both in the boarding and day school

I would like to acknowledge the Gamilaroi and Gomeroi people, who are the traditional custodians of the land, and pay my respects to elders both past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.