Staff and community leaders from our participating schools came together for the CNS symposium, sharing knowledge and experiences of connecting to the community.
“We brought to this symposium the key players in the schools and the cultural mentors who have been working side-by-side with the teacher and school principals who are supporting the project,” said CNS Chief Investigator Associate Professor Kevin Lowe, from UNSW.
We were proud to also welcome community champions and elders, including Aunty Bronwyn Penrith, to the Symposium, hosted by the Gadigal Centre and The University of Sydney, over three days in December 2022.
More than 100 people attended, including community elders, leaders, teachers and support staff from rural and urban schools, as well as partner organisations including the Paul Ramsay Foundation and Social Ventures Australia. Stakeholder groups including the Department of Education, the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and highly respected community Elders from both Redfern/Waterloo and La Perouse also attended.
“This was our first opportunity in 18 months to bring everyone together and to hear about what has been happening in each of the schools and how they have started to address the foundational issues we have been working on,” A/Prof Lowe added.
“It was also a chance to introduce some highly topical and culturally significant issues – such as the Uluru Statement from the Heart – and for teachers to consider how they are going to understand and engage in the debates swirling around the country.”
Each of the CNS partner schools shared experiences, challenges and learnings from the project, including reflection and debate about the importance of student identity, language and culture.
Connecting and sharing
“What excites me the most about the Culturally Nourishing Schooling program is the model and the structure ⎼ the combination of looking into current research, having an opportunity to discuss that with colleagues, to apply the learning,” said Jessica Neilsen, Principal at Condobolin Public School.
Shallan Foster, from Matraville Sports High School added: “Being part of the CNS project, hones us back to refocus on the kids, particularly Aboriginal kids, re-engage with community, and make sure that our teaching resources and relationships reflect the needs of our community and kids in our schools.”
The final day of the 2023 CNS Symposium was spent at Alexandria Park Community School, where guest Raymond Ingrey presented on his work with the Gujaga Foundation and its work in the La Perouse Aboriginal community, including teaching the Dharawal language.
Alexandria Park primary students (below) performed including singing Eorawago, a song written in Gomberee language by Marcus Corowa.
