Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

We’re committed to working in partnership with families and community in welcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and supporting them to reach their full potential, while embracing their culture and identity.

The purpose of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education serves two distinct purposes:

To ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students see themselves, their identities, and their cultures reflected in the curriculum, have the opportunity to fully participate in the curriculum, and build their self-esteem.
To ensure all students understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures to support reconciliation, respect, and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.

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The Catholic school difference

Our Catholic schools work closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families and offer support to ensure the best education possible.

Inclusive learning and teaching

Personalised learning plans

Local support and relationships

Sharing a living culture

Confidential support conversations

Inclusive learning and teaching

Students have the opportunity to engage in inclusive learning and teaching experiences that value and enhance knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.

Personalised learning plans

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students may be supported through personalised learning plans developed in partnership with parents/carers, your child, and their teacher(s).

Local support and relationships

Additional support is available to students from the diocesan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education team and in-school Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEAs).

Sharing a living culture

Family and community members may have the opportunity to be involved in the sharing of culture and appropriate knowledge with your child's school community to build respect, partnership, recognition, and reconciliation.

Confidential support conversations

Opportunities to privately discuss with your Catholic school principal other support your family may require, with the support of the diocesan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education team.

Why a Catholic school?

Walking together

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Contacts

Our Catholic schools all have at least one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education contact. This person works closely with students and families, and coordinates and supports the implementation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education initiatives in their school.

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Acknowledgement of Country

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands upon which our children learn and play, the local Aboriginal peoples of the Dharawal, Gundungurra, and Yuin Nations.

We pay respect to their Peoples and cultures, recognising their continuing connection to land, water, and communities. It is with the greatest of respect we acknowledge Elders past, present, and emerging, and extend our deepest gratitude for the cultural, spiritual, and educational practices that continue to enrich the life of our Catholic school communities.