Salisbury North R-7 School: Foundations which underlie DWRAT

DWRAT is strongly underpinned by a great deal of work which has gone into establishing programs to build self esteem of Aboriginal students at the school and pride in their heritage, as well as firm and mutually positive relationships with our local Aboriginal community. Listed below are some of the ways in which the school has established this foundation:

As part of the curriculum:

• All Aboriginal students learn the Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri language as an extra Language Other Than English (LOTE) subject. This is taught by a community member with teacher and AEW support.

• All classes are required to study Aboriginal Studies and a Reconciliation topic each year.

• All teachers have been inducted in Aboriginal Perspectives Across the Curriculum (APAC).

• The school's ASSPA committee in conjunction with the Aboriginal Education Team run one special Aboriginal Culture Awareness Day each year, in which all students in the school participate.

Participation by parents, communities and students:

• The school Aboriginal Student Support and Parent Awareness Committee (ASSPA) is very active in supporting DWRAT, in encouraging attendance by Aboriginal students, and in valuing their literacy achievements.

• Many community members take part as Hourly Paid Instructors in our Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Day.

• ASSPA is represented on our School Council.

• Students are well represented in the school netball teams, as well as the choir, which has performed for many reconciliation and multi-cultural events

• Aboriginal Education Worker Muriel O'Loughlin works hard to keep community informed and consulted about DWRAT. It is largely due to her that parents trust that the school is working for and with them for the success of their students.

• From time to time Aboriginal Parent Literacy Workers have been employed and trained to assist Aboriginal students in one on one tutoring in reading

• The local Salisbury Council has been very active in promoting reconciliation, and the school has participated in several Reconciliation events.

More about the people involved…