School leaders inspired by ‘challenging’ address

Ted Langford, Theresa Ardler and Julie Waddell from the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta Jarara Indigenous Education team, pictured here with Executive Director Greg Whitby.

When more than 500 Catholic Education and school leaders gathered online for their start of year planning and reflection in January, an enthralling keynote address from Dr Anita Heiss provided a valuable opportunity to listen to and understand the diverse experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

A proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales, Anita was born on Gadigal country and has spent much of her life on Dharawal Land near La Perouse.

She is one of Australia’s most prolific authors and editor of the anthology Growing up Aboriginal in Australia which will be used by schools and leaders to underpin their work throughout 2021.

As Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta works towards its first Reconciliation Action Plan in 2021 and prepares to host the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference in 2022, Anita provided thoughtful and powerful insights.

“As teachers we are all lifelong learners and it is important for us to continue to learn and understand Aboriginal culture and we can start with how we demonstrate, contribute and participate with our Indigenous history at our schools,” Anita said

She said inclusivity requires acknowledging the diversity of who we are and recognising the significance of incorporating Aboriginal symbolism and language into our everyday lives. This included sharing her perspective on the national discussion about the timing of Australia Day.

“In the last two decades, many have talked about the difference of seeing their flag flying at a school and not just during NAIDOC week,” Anita said. “Flying the flag demonstrates that we all recognise, every day, that we live, work and learn on the land of Aboriginal people.”

Dr Anita Heiss.

She shared an impressive number of resources for learning and teaching and demonstrated how limited many Australians’ knowledge of our own history still is with a confronting IQ test aimed at highlighting cultural bias in the classroom.

“I have no doubt that readers will be challenged by some of these stories and will recognise certain unpleasant behaviour they have seen in their own world,” she said. “These are the realities and impacts that ingrained attitudes and behaviours have on Aboriginal people in their lives.”

Anita also encouraged school leaders to consider meaningful ways to include and recognise Aboriginal culture within their school communities.

“My hope is that all Australians can have a greater understanding of our shared history,” Anita said.

Michael Pate, Principal from Xavier College Llandilo delivered a vote of thanks to Anita, reflecting that her insight was both powerful and energising.

“Your passion as an educator, your proud Wiradjuri heritage, your deep sense of purpose within your writing and poetry along with your powerful social commentary was really evident today as you shared personal things with us,” Michael said. “You have provided authentic and practical understanding for the needs of symbols, spaces and dialogues within our schools.”

In a heartfelt letter to Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta’s 5000 staff following the day, Executive Director of Schools Greg Whitby urged everyone to listen to the voices of Aboriginal Australians in transforming learning and teaching for young people in western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

“I challenge you to listen and respond to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, their families and communities,” Greg said. “Sitting down with our students and staff at a Yarn Up or learning from participants in Jarara Indigenous Education Unit programs gives me so much hope in our capacity for change and particularly for Reconciliation.”

Learn more about the fantastic work of the Jarara Indigenous Education Unit