Cultural Integrity Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students at Belconnen High School
Cultural Integrity and the Indigenous program are to improve the educational outcomes for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Belconnen High School.
During 2020 we formed the Cultural Integrity Team led by Anne O’Neill and the team members are Janet Cooke, Tessa Barbour, Kasie Ryan, Nat Ikin, Tricia Copas and Andrew Wright. We are working to implement a strong Cultural Integrity Program that is aligned with the ACT Public Schools Cultural Integrity Framework. We strive for continual improvement in the following areas:
- Teaching with Cultural Integrity
- Engaging with students, families, and community
- Creating a school culture of respect
Success of the Cultural Integrity is regularly reported in the Belconnen High School Newsletter and measured in the following ways:
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coordinator meets with the students regularly and is the contact point for any academic and well-being issues. The coordinator is the negotiator between the student, teacher, parents, and community members. The emphasis is for the student to set high academic expectations for their success.
- At Belconnen High School we are improving our Teaching with Cultural Integrity where we are supporting staff to be confident and capable to meet the learning needs of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can see themselves, their cultures, histories, and languages in the curriculum. There are opportunities across all learning areas and year levels for all students to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, languages, knowledge, and ways of knowing.
- We are developing and maintaining genuine, collaborative, and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents, families, local community members service providers and agencies to meet the needs and aspirations of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities’ members is widely recognised and is a significant part of the school’s culture.
- At Belconnen High School we are continually building a culture of respect this is especially around significant events e.g. Sorry Day Assembly, Reconciliation Week, Indigenous Literacy Day, and NAIDOC week.
- Involvement in the ACT Department of Education's Aspiration Program – the program promotes participation in leadership and career opportunities with a focus on pathways and transitions between schools. Ways this is achieved is through the Mura Awards, the Aspiration Scholarship and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student forums
- At Belconnen High School we are involved in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous Sports Buroinjin Gala Day early in term 2 where the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have the opportunity to lead Belconnen High School teams against the ACT Public High School.
Please contact members of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Support Team on Ph. 6142 1690 or by email on info_blch@ed.act.edu.au