Handbook

This subject will provide students with opportunities to examine key issues in Aboriginal education within the national and New South Wales school context. The subject will scrutinise the colonial influence and identify Aboriginal cultural connections within Aboriginal education. A strong emphasis of the subject is to examine the historical, political, cultural and social contexts that influence teachers working with and engaging Aboriginal students and communities. Students will analyse and critically examine the Australian social and political constructions of Aboriginal people’s identities and cultures created by colonial approaches. Students will utilise cognitive, technical and creative skills to critically reflect upon the impact of colonisation on their own historical and socially constructed values, attitudes and ideas. Students will synthesise these complex concepts by exploring and applying Aboriginal people’s own understandings on Western constructions through decolonising and reculturalising methods in education. Within these investigations students will develop an understanding of the varying Aboriginal ways of knowing and learning on identities, culture(s), histories and educational experiences; henceforth, creating opportunities for students to safely explore and challenge hegemonic educational constructions and positively contribute to an inclusive and equitable educational learning environment for Aboriginal students. This subjects approach enhances the capacity of teachers to be inclusive of addressing non-Aboriginal school students’ understanding and involvement in Aboriginal education to go beyond Reconciliation. ‘Respectful relationships’ is the key element of this subject to develop reciprocal behaviour through understanding Aboriginal culture(s) and how Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples can connect to Country and each other.