RECONCILIATION ACTION PLANCoromandel Valley KindergartenJanuary 2020 to January 2021

CONTENTS

Vision for Reconciliation

The Working Group

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Actions

Relationships

Respect

Opportunities

VISION FOR RECONCILIATION

Our vision is to build on each child’s individual experience and support them to develop their moral conscienceand learn through dynamic, challenging play experiences and a rich learning environment that promotesindependence and life-long learning. Educators view all children as capable and competent. Education beginsthe moment we recognise each child as wise and capable, only then can we play along in their world. Thewider the range of possibilities we accept as possible the more intense a child’s motivation will be and thericher their experiences.

Coromandel Valley Kindergarten recognise that we are situated on Kaurna Land and we are committed toreconciliation through building and encouraging respectful and genuine relationships within our environmentand the community, by cultivating and embedding respect for the world’s longest surviving culture.

We acknowledge the ongoing impact of past and present injustices on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople and aim to provide equal and equitable opportunities for all our children, families and educators.

By growing in our understanding of and respect for the Nation’s First Peoples, our community will have agenuine vested interest to embrace and contribute to a reconciled Australia. Educators will continuallychallenge their belief systems, values and actions to develop an authentic culture and community ofreconciliation.Through our early years educational programs we are committed to providing opportunities for people of allcultures in our community to work and learn together to gain an understanding of each other’s values anddevelop mutual respect. We welcome authentic opportunities for Elders and Traditional Custodians to sharetheir cultures and historical knowledge with children, families and educators though promoting a learningenvironment and culture that is safe, supportive and inclusive.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge the Kaurna People, who’s Land we meet on every day. We pay our respects to their Elders,past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the histories, the cultures and the contributions of all Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander People as First Nation Peoples and recognise them as Traditional Custodians of ourcountry.

Children’s Acknowledgement of CountryWe at Coromandel Valley Kindergarten,Would like to say thank you,To the Kaurna Peoplefor letting us share your Land.We promise to look after it,the animals, the plants and the people too.

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RAP WORKING GROUP

Name Position

Jen Melta Principal / Director

Melissa Miegel Staff (teaching)

Louise Hill Staff (teaching assistant)

Kylie Gardner Community member

Rikki Skrodal Staff (teaching)

Suzanne Harris Staff (teaching)

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RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CLASSROOM

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Aboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Peoplein the Classroom

We are committed to welcomingAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople into our classrooms as guests towork alongside our students and childrenin learning activities. Having anAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpresence in learning environments is vitalwhen teaching about Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander histories andcultures.

Jen M Ongoing

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RELATIONSHIPS AROUND THE SCHOOL

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

CulturalCompetence forStaff

We will reflect on our current level ofcultural competence and provide staffwith a range of opportunities to build andextend their knowledge andunderstanding of Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander cultures. We also committo supporting staff to independently seekout and participate in a variety of culturalawareness experiences that assist themon their own journey of understanding.

Jen M Ongoing

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RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Welcome toCountry

Where appropriate, significant events atour early learning service commence witha Welcome to Country. Protocols forwelcoming visitors to Country have beena part of Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander cultures for thousands of years.By incorporating these protocols intoformal events and important occasions,we recognise Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander peoples as the First Australiansand Custodians of their Land.

Jen M Ongoing

CelebrateNationalReconciliationWeek

Our early learning service communitycelebrates National Reconciliation Week(NRW) which is held from 27 May to 3June each year by talking aboutreconciliation in the classroom andaround the school, and celebrating withthe community. NRW is a time for allAustralians to learn about our sharedhistories, cultures and achievements andto explore how each of us can join thenational reconciliation effort.

Melissa M 27/05/2020- 03/06/2020

BuildRelationshipswith Community

We commit to building relationships withour local Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander community that are built onmutual respect, trust and inclusiveness.We value these relationships and theirrole in helping to create opportunities forAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander andnon-Indigenous staff, students, childrenand community members.

Jen M Ongoing

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RESPECT IN THE CLASSROOM

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Teach aboutReconciliation

Our early learning service community iscommitted to learning about reconciliationin Australia. Having an understanding ofthe concept, history and progress ofreconciliation is an important part ofcontinuing the reconciliation journey. Thisunderstanding also helps to strengthenengagement with our early learningservice’s RAP by positioning it within thebroader story of reconciliation inAustralia.

Rikki S Ongoing

Explore CurrentAffairs andIssues

We are committed to raising awarenessof current affairs and issues in the publicdomain that are of particular significanceto Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeoples and the process of reconciliation.This will be done through curriculumdelivery, policies and procedures, and willbe integrated into the ethos of our earlylearning service.

Rikki S Ongoing

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RESPECT AROUND THE SCHOOL

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Acknowledgementof Country

Our early learning service recognises thecontinuing connection of Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander peoples to theCountry on which we live, work, learn andgrow. All staff and students have theopportunity to show respect to TraditionalOwners and Custodians by regularlyconducting an Acknowledgement ofCountry at meetings and eventsthroughout the year.

Jen M Ongoing

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RESPECT WITH THE COMMUNITY

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Aboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Flags

Our early learning service flies ordisplays the Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander flag as a demonstration of ourpride and respect for the histories,cultures and contributions of Australia’sFirst Peoples. Flying or displaying theflags promotes a sense of communitypartnership and a commitment towardreconciliation.

Jen M Ongoing

Take ActionAgainst Racism

Racism can have serious negativeconsequences for the people whoexperience it, for those who witness it,and for wider society. When racism isproperly understood it is easier toovercome. We commit to buildingawareness of what racism is, the impactsof racism and how to respond effectivelywhen it occurs through an anti-racismstrategy tailored to the needs of our earlylearning service.

Jen M Ongoing

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OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CLASSROOM

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

CurriculumPlanning

Embedding Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander histories and cultures incurriculum planning, development andevaluation processes is a key andongoing consideration across all yearlevels and learning areas. Curriculumdocuments have or will be audited toidentify the extent to which Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander histories, culturesand contributions are already embedded,and to identify opportunities forstrengthening the representation of thiscontent in the curriculum.

Louise H, Rikki S Ongoing

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OPPORTUNITIES AROUND THE SCHOOL

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Inclusive Policies All staff in our early learning service areaware of policies that refer specifically toimproving educational outcomes forAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople and increasing knowledge of, andrespect for, Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander histories and cultures inAustralia. We have a plan in place toensure all staff comply with these policiesin their daily practice. Our internalpolicies have been, or will be, amendedto ensure they are also inclusive ofAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople and increase knowledge ofAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhistories and cultures in Australia.

Jen M Ongoing

StaffEngagement withRAP

Commitment to the Reconciliation ActionPlan (RAP) from all staff is essential fordeveloping a RAP that is implemented ina meaningful and sustainable way. Allstaff will be involved in the ongoingdevelopment and implementation of ourRAP through staff developmentopportunities facilitated by the RAPWorking Group.

Suzanne H Ongoing

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OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE COMMUNITY

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Celebrate RAPProgress

We are committed to reflecting on theprogress made in the growth ofknowledge and pride in Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander histories, culturesand contributions in our early learningservice. We will track the progress of ourRAP, continually revisit our commitments,and celebrate our achievements, whilegenerating new ideas to develop andsustain our RAP into the future.

Rikki S Ongoing

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