The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Education Team's new Cultural Artist in Residence program featured as a best practice example across the state at a recent State Ministerial Committee. This program is complemented by Cultural Safety and Respect professional learning for staff in host schools, demonstrating schools’ commitment to the reconciliation agenda and to cultural responsiveness. The program, whilst presented through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, is transferable and attends to broad scope cultural diversity in a multi-cultural nation.
In partnership with the CESA ATSI Education team members as pedagogical change agents - school communities are engaging with a diverse group of cultural expert practitioners to:
Visual Arts - Artists Betty Sumner, Lena Rigney and Sonya Smith are engaging students in activities such as painting, weaving, cultural songs and dreaming stories at St Josephs, Murray Bridge in partnership with Carclew and the Department of State Development.
Multimedia - Documentary Film maker, Martin Pascoe, has been making documentaries and writing songs with Cardijn College, Kildare College and St John the Apostle Parish School, Christies Beach.
Contemporary Dance - Gina Rings, a contemporary dancer, is currently working with St. Pius X Primary School, Windsor Gardens and with St. Aloysius College, St. Columba College Junior School and Our Lady Queen of Peace, Albert Park in Terms 3 and 4.
Kaurna Language - Tauondi Aboriginal College instructor, Kira Bain is sharing her knowledge of the Kaurna Language with a group of 15 enthusiastic teachers at Holy Family Catholic School, Parafield Gardens. Programs will continue for the remainder of the year supporting staff and students from Loreto College, St Joseph’s Memorial School, Xavier College and Christian Brothers’ College.
Gully Winds Elders - In partnership with the City of Tea Tree Gully Council and the Gully Winds Aboriginal Elders group, Gleeson College and local feeder schools are planning an Aboriginal cultural experience program for their Year 9 students.
Aboriginal cultural and spiritual perspectives through Music - Apakatjah (Dion Forrester and Jonathan Lindsay-Tjapaltjarri Hermawan) are working with St. Michael’s College (Primary and Secondary Campuses) and St. Ignatius College (Secondary Campus) to explore Aboriginal perspectives through contemporary music.
Ecology and Culture - Karno Martin is an Education Support Officer at the Marine Discovery Centre at Star of the Sea School, Henley Beach assisting visitors to the centre from a range of Catholic Schools and Colleges.
Cultural knowledge - Respected Aboriginal Leaders Karl Telfer and Ernie Dingo, along with Karno Martin, are about to embark on programs across several other schools focusing on a commitment to reconciliation, ecological conversion and an understanding of Aboriginal history and culture.
Leading education administrator Dr Neil McGoran has been appointed to the position of Director of Catholic Education SA (CESA).
