RECONCILIATION ACTION PLANMadge Sexton KindergartenNovember 2018 to November 2019

Contents

Our Vision for Reconciliation

The Working Group

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Actions

Relationships

Respect

Opportunities

Vision for ReconciliationOur vision for reconciliation at Madge Sexton Kindergarten, located on Kaurna Land in the AdelaidePlains, is about actively acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as our nation’sFirst Peoples, as well as celebrating their contributions and continuing importance to society today.We recognise that, in order to move forward in our reconciliation journey, we must first accept thepast and ask ourselves; What are we going to do about it? At MSK, we believe in being open andhonest with children, by valuing them as the capable and competent citizens that they are, and notkeeping history a mystery. This means addressing the injustices and inequalities experienced byAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples since colonisation, while simultaneously recognisingtheir strength and resilience.

We are committed to finding authentic and meaningful ways to connect and engage with our localAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, including past, present and future families of MSK.We actively strive to form ongoing partnerships which are based on respect, trust, understanding andare of mutual benefit. We welcome opportunities for Elders and Traditional Owners to share theircultural and historical knowledge with children and staff through promoting a learning environmentand culture that is safe and supportive. We also seek to empower our Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander children by fostering a sense of personal pride and providing opportunities to celebrate theircultures alongside their peers.

At MSK, we are committed to making reconciliation an ongoing process; continually reflecting on andtransforming our curriculum and practice to ensure that we are respectfully valuing, reflecting andcelebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, cultures and histories in the learning andlife of our site.

Acknowledgment of CountryWe would like to acknowledge that the Land we meet on today is the traditional Lands of the Kaurnapeople and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge theKaurna people as the Traditional Custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural andheritage beliefs are still important to the Kaurna people today.

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RAP Working Group

Name Position

Marissa Neeb Staff (teaching)

Leanne Lovett Principal / Director

Tennille Langeluddecke Staff (teaching)

Emma Shaw Staff (teaching assistant)

Laura Reay Staff (teaching assistant)

Kalinda Glatter Staff (teaching assistant)

Emily Downing Staff (teaching assistant)

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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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

Ongoing

Early YearsLearningFramework -Early LearningSpecific

We commit to seeking out meaningfulconnections between our vision andplans for reconciliation and the principles,practices and outcomes of the EarlyYears Learning Framework. Establishinga strong relationship between the two willensure reconciliation is meaningfullyembedded in everyday early learningenvironments.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

Ongoing

Opportunities forAboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Studentsand Children

We commit to providing opportunities forour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderstudents to celebrate their culturalidentities. These opportunities positivelyimpact the well-being of Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander students andchildren, and create shared pride forAboriginal and Torres Strait Islandercultures, contributions, identities andhistories in the wider early learningservice community.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

Ongoing

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RELATIONSHIPS AROUND THE SCHOOL

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Elders andTraditionalOwners ShareHistories andCultures

We are committed to forging ameaningful and ongoing relationship withlocal Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderElders, and people recognised in theircommunity as Traditional Owners. Wehope this relationship can be of mutualbenefit, and that our local Elders andTraditional Owners will feel safe, andconfident, to share their historical andcultural knowledge with our staff,students and children.

Leanne L,Tennille L

Ongoing

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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

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 County. 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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

27/05/2019- 03/06/2019

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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L

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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

Ongoing

PhysicalAcknowledgementof Country

Our early learning service proudlycommits to displaying a physicalAcknowledgement of Country as a way ofshowing awareness of, and respect for,the Aboriginal or Torres Strait IslanderTraditional Owners and Custodians of theland on which our early learning serviceis located.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L

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.

Leanne L 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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

Ongoing

National QualityStandard - EarlyLearning Specific

We commit to ensuring that ourengagement with the National QualityStandard involves the inclusion ofAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhistories, cultures and contributions in ourdaily practice and programming, as wellas authentic and meaningful engagementwith the local Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander community.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

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.

Marissa N,Leanne L,Tennille L, EmmaS, Laura R,Kalinda G, EmilyD

Ongoing

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