THE THREE FOCUSES OF ABORIGINAL EDUCATION FRAMEWORK
The Wingaru philosophy looks at three focuses of Aboriginal education. All three need to be addressed to enable cultural competency across the school community.
FOCUS A
OVERARCHING CONCEPTS AND KNOWLEDGE
FOCUS OVERVIEW
This Focus looks at broad concepts that are relevant to all areas of Australia. The knowledge gained as part of this Focus helps students:
to gain the background knowledge to investigate, appreciate and value the history of the oldest continuous living culture on earth; and
to understand the considerable impacts colonisation has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The knowledge and understanding gained through Focus A:
supports students to understand that there are many First Nations cultures throughout Australia; and
increases their capacity to navigate the complexities of location-specific protocols in a culturally safe way.
FOCUS IN ACTION
For this Focus, Wingaru encourages schools to:
Seek an understanding of broad concepts as part of everyday learning.
Incorporate First Nations perspectives across all subjects in the curriculum.
Empower students with knowledge.
Consider colonisation and past policy and the impact it has today.
Look at, and challenge, bias against Aboriginal people.
WINGARU KIDS TOOLS
Wingaru Kids provides tools to support schools as they address this Focus of the Framework by supporting both teachers and students to explore important concepts that build a strong understanding of Aboriginal people, culture and issues.
The tools provided include:
Over 130 lessons exploring topics that are applicable Australia wide.
Comprehensive lesson plans supporting teachers with background information for the lessons.
Teacher professional learning on content and approach.
Digital dictionary.
Exclusive video explaining concepts and ideas.
Assessment tools to measure understanding.
FOCUS B
LOCAL APPLICATION OF CONCEPTS
FOCUS OVERVIEW
This Focus considers your local Aboriginal community. It requires a close-up look at the languages, culture and lifestyles of the Traditional Custodians of the Country where your school is located. The knowledge gained through Focus B helps students to understand the nuances of their local area; become familiar with local protocols; and connect with local communities to support an understanding of the Country they live on.
FOCUS IN ACTION
For this Focus, Wingaru encourages schools to:
Build strong relationships with the local community.
Find local examples of broad lesson topics from Focus A (where possible).
Include Aboriginal community members in the school community.
Connect with local Aboriginal education mechanisms such as AECG and VAEAI groups.
WINGARU KIDS TOOLS
Wingaru Kids provides tools to support schools as they address this second Focus of the Framework by supporting teachers to understand the importance of local perspectives as well as how to connect, and form strong working relationships, with the local Aboriginal community.
The tools provided include:
Teacher professional learning containing advice on building relationships through positive allyship and respect.
Comprehensive lesson plans that indicate ways to customise lessons for local perspectives and opportunities to connect with community.
A growing collection of local examples and stories.
Some exposure to local languages.
FOCUS C
SUPPORTING ABORIGINAL STUDENTS
FOCUS OVERVIEW
The Focus that schools need to consider is supporting their Aboriginal students.
Aboriginal students need schools to create culturally safe environments that support student wellbeing and success. This means ensuring that the whole school is working towards cultural competency.
FOCUS IN ACTION
For this Focus, Wingaru encourages schools to:
Adopt an anti-racism approach within the school.
Create a student group for Aboriginal students to come together regularly. This creates a safe space for students as well as provides an opportunity for cultural sharing and learning.
Host regular events inviting Aboriginal families to come together regularly.
Include mechanisms to obtain family input into school life.
Include regular Aboriginal perspectives in classrooms so First Nations students can see themselves in the curriculum. This practice has shown to increase confidence, participation and success of students.
Take a strengths-based approach to student support – highlight successes, encourage strengths and create opportunities for skill development.
Ensure teachers are knowledgeable in appropriate communication and approaches to build strong teacher/student relationships.
WINGARU KIDS TOOLS
Wingaru Kids provides tools to support schools as they address this Focus of the Framework by:
Supporting regular inclusion of Aboriginal content in the classroom.
Enabling differentiated learning through the assignment of ability- and age-appropriate lessons via the class dashboard.
Providing stories of positive role models to build student confidence and support a strengths-based approach.
Providing professional learning that addresses the needs of Aboriginal students, their families and communities.