Curriculum Vitae
Personal Details
Name: Sally LAWRENCE
Telephone: m 0439 884988
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sallylawrence.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sallyconsultancy/
Educational Qualifications
Masters of Environmental Education – Griffith University QLD (2000)
Bachelor of Education – Early Childhood – QUT – Kelvin Grove (1995)
Associate Diploma of Business – 1 year completed – TAFE Maryborough (1991)
Certificate 4 – Teaching, Assessing and Evaluating – TAFE Sunshine Coast (2011)
HLTAHW501B Conduct Screening Hearing Tests for Children – The Cunningham Centre (2007)
GROWTH Coach – Growth Coaching International (2017)
Professional Experience
2019 – Published author – Our Land, Our Stories – AIATSIS and Nelson
2017- current Director – Sally Lawrence Consultancy and Black Cockatoo Group – Author of Our Land, Our Stories – AIATSIS and Nelson Cengage
2016 – 2017 AO7 Regional Manager – Indigenous Education – North Coast Region
See duties for this role on the following page
- Developed a comprehensive curriculum overview to identify the opportunities to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives within all subject areas for P-12 – Cross Curriculum Priority – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in the Australian Curriculum v 8.3
- Supported the Indigenous Community in the North Coast Region (Bundaberg to Moreton Bay areas) to identify opportunities to align their workshops, stories and experiences on country to the National Curriculum. In doing so, community and schools were enabled to identify a ‘better fit’
- Conducted and led PD and workshops to Build Cultural Capability for staff aligned to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST 1.4 and 2.4)
2016 AO7 Regional Manager Indigenous Education – North Coast Region – DET
- Provide Leadership and advice to the Regional Director, ARD’s and Regional Curriculum Manager to Close the Gap and to improve the achievement, attendance and retention of Indigenous students and to support quality decision-making in the delivery of Indigenous education services in the North Coast Region
- Allocate funding to schools through a transparent model, being accountable for the delivery of programs utilising Federal and State Government Funding
- Identify opportunities to source additional funding resources and programs for schools through productive partnerships
- Supervise and line manage a team including direct management of the Indigenous Education Unit Team and indirect management of Indigenous Education Workers throughout the Region
- Work with Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Schools, Principals, Key regional staff and schools to embed Indigenous perspectives throughout current state and regional curriculum initiatives, including ACARA, C2C, Crossing Cultures and Hidden Histories
- Manage small projects that may include Cherbourg Ration Shed Tours and Student Futures areas focusing on Regional Priorities
- Build networks with and inclusive of Indigenous Elders, Indigenous non-Governmental Organisations, community groups, Government departments and the broader community in Closing the Gap Strategy
2015 Black Cockatoo – Sally Lawrence Consultancy and TPP106 Tutor at USC
- My Island Home Project – Neil Murray (Warumpi Band, My Island Home) $70,000 grant from Australia Council of the Arts and the Torres Strait Regional Authority enabled 20 emerging Indigenous artists from The Torres Strait to participate in a songwriting and recording workshop to produce a compilation CD of their songs
- I created the concept, consulted with the community, wrote the successful funding applications, coordinated the workshop, managed all logistics for 25 people, Executive Produced the album and successfully acquitted the $70K funding
- Bush Tucker Garden – researched Indigenous bush foods, consulted with Elders and local community, designed garden, aligned to Early Childhood curriculum and sourced all materials for the installation at a Childcare Centre in the Moreton Bay area
- ARTIE – Delivered Cross Cultural Awareness training and ‘Significant Other – Strategies for engaging Indigenous learners’ for 250 pre-service teachers from the University of Queensland for the Former Origin Greats (FOG’s) program.
- Cherbourg Ration Shed – The Boys from Barambah WW1 Project – Launch of book and ANZAC celebrations in the community.
- Conferences – Presented The Boys from Barambah at the QLD History Teachers Annual Conference in Brisbane and the National History Teachers Association Annual Conference in Melbourne
2014 North Lakes State College – curriculum audit – Indigenous perspectives
- Curriculum coverage of this priority across year levels and faculties
- Sourcing local networks and expertise
- Develop the cultural competency of staff to deliver this explicit curriculum content
- Highlight resources available to staff on campus that enable this teaching ie. Community members, community organisations, staff, print, digital, and physical
- Develop cultural protocols to guide teaching and learning practices at NLSC
Cherbourg’s Ration Shed Museum – ANZAC 100 – The Boys of Barambah World War 1 Project – Researcher/Writer
- Community Consultation with Aboriginal Elders of Cherbourg and Ration Shed Museum Committee
- Undertake Research and develop a project brief
- Developed networks and contacts to support research
- Develop Curriculum links and alignments to National Curriculum
- Guest Speaker at State Library Queensland ANZAC 100 Serving Country Forum
- Project manage and report on the project to Elders and Committee
- Conduct community consultation and interviews with families to develop personal stories
Sharing Culture – Makassans – a Yolngu Perspective
- Co-write and develop a 114-page Educational Textbook/workbook that shares the history of the Makassans and Yolngu history of trade in North East Arnhem Land
- Develop curriculum links and alignments to the National Curriculum
- Present and showcase at HOD (Head of Department) Conferences
2013 Cherbourg’s Ration Shed Museum – Published Author – 5 Education Workbooks with links to the National Curriculum
- Continuous Consultation with the Elders of Cherbourg to develop education resources for Cherbourg
- Alignment of resources to the Australian Curriculum, including assessment criteria
- Train Cherbourg Elders and volunteers to conduct educational tours at the Ration Shed for school groups in excess of 130 students
- Develop educational workshops in-situ at the Ration Shed Museum
RIPD – EYLF State Trainer (Remote Indigenous Professional Development – Early Years Learning Framework) – Thursday Island, Mackay, Mount Isa – Department of Education – Central Office
- Facilitate Training for Indigenous Early Years Educators to implement the Early Years Learning Framework
- Conduct training and in-situ experiences for educators in remote locations for up to 20 Indigenous educators
- Develop learning and training that is responsive to community needs
- Link Foundations for Success, EYLF, the National Quality Framework and Building Waterfalls curriculum into training and assist educators to create interpretations and alignments dependent on which curriculum documents guided their practice
2012- 2015 Sessional Teacher – TPP106 – Introduction to Indigenous Societies
- Develop innovative and engaging material and content for the course
- Engage with and invite Indigenous Community members to share their lived experiences with students
- Source contemporary and archival data, research and multimedia content and stimulus
- Assess and moderate student assessment
- Provide mentoring and pastoral care to students
- Represent USC whilst engaging with community
- Shortlisted for USC Advance Awards- Enhancing the student experience 2014
2008 – 2012 AO7 Regional Manager Indigenous Education – North Coast Region – DET – currently on maternity leave
- Direct Leadership of the Indigenous Education agenda for the North Coast Region which is focused on Closing the Gap and improving outcomes for the 5811 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in 220 schools from Agnes Waters to Pine Rivers, Kilkivan to Bribie Island.
- The implementation of the Regional Indigenous Education Strategic Plan
- The building of networks with, and inclusive of, Indigenous Elders
- The negotiation with the Regional Leadership team and Principals in relation to achieving deliverables within the Regional Operation Plan
- Provide Leadership and training to the direct team of 10 Regional Indigenous Education team, 12 Community Advisors and over 50 Indigenous Education Workers throughout the region
- The allocation of funding to schools through a transparent model – $2.8 million per annum
- Professional supervision and line management of the Regional Indigenous Education Team and subsequent programs
- Statewide trainer for the Early Years Learning Framework Remote Professional Development for Indigenous Educators – delivered on Thursday Island, Mt Isa and Mackay to 60 Indigenous educators
- Collaboration with the ISSU: CSQ team and Central Office departments
- The facilitation of a Regional Governance Group
- The reporting to the Regional Executive Director on a regular basis
- Accountability for Federal and State Government reporting requirements.
- Submissions for additional funding opportunities – an additional $3.8 million sourced over the past 4 years
- Participation as part of Regional Leadership Team
- Source additional funding opportunities, write grant applications, consult with the Indigenous community and schools to deliver additional programs that are data-driven, placed based to Close the Gap and attain student outcomes.
- Develop and facilitate Cultural Awareness Training I.e. Crossing Cultures: Hidden Histories and created Aunty Honor and Aunty Faye’s Most Excellent Adventure.
- Co-Authored GUPPIE – a parent education program
- Developed the curriculum for Indigenous Playgroups
- Strategically planned Learn Earn Legend – Indigenous Pathways Co-ordinator Program
- Successfully brokered the DET and FOGs ARTIE school’s partnership for 7 North Coast Region State High Schools
- Developed links for the AIME/USC program for 8 Sunshine Coast SHS
- Develop and deliver lectures to pre-Service teachers at Central Queensland University – Noosa campus
2006 – 2008 Project Officer – Early Intervention and Middle Phase – Indigenous Education Unit – DET
- Establish Playgroups in Schools for Indigenous Children aged 0-5 years’ old
- Field Manage a Gifted and Talented program for Year 4 – 6 Indigenous children
- Facilitate professional development for Principals, teachers and teacher aides
- Organise, Co-ordinate and Manage 2 x 3 day residential camps for Gifted and Talented students
- Co-ordinate and manage specialist teachers and additional staff to facilitate learning experiences for children
- Liaise with Indigenous Communities, Elders, Indigenous and Mainstream service providers to support Parents and their children
- Facilitate training for Indigenous Teacher Aides, modeling knowledge, skills, developmentally appropriate activities and guidelines for conducting an Indigenous Playgroup. This was conducted within the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Burnett and South West Region within Queensland.
- Initiated projects and worked with Indigenous community members within DOGIT, Discreet, Urban, Rural and Remote Indigenous communities. Examples include Cherbourg, Cunnamulla, Charleville, Dirranbandi, and St George
- Conduct Ear Health Promotion and Ear Screening for Indigenous children within the Playgroups
- Liaise with school Principals and teachers regarding both projects
- Presenter of ‘Best Practice’ models at State and National conferences
- Actively sit on Reference Groups relating to Indigenous Education for Children aged 0-5 years old.
2005 Acting Principal – Band 6 – Sunday Creek Environmental Education Centre (6 months)
- Provided leadership in education within the context of the Education Queensland Strategic Plan
- Effectively managed the use of resources both financial and human to achieve Centre goals
- Effectively developed interpersonal relationships and established highly productive partnerships with other government agencies and NGO’s ie. QP&WS, DNR&M – Forestry, Education Queensland Schools, Chaplaincy, Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre Principal Association (OEECPA), QESSI (Sustainable Schools Initiative)
- Actively attended and contributed to Principal Meetings within the Sunshine Coast District and OEECPA thus using information and directives to steer the centre
- Accountable for the outcomes-based performance of the school
- Facilitated and developed several systemic documents and policies, examples include School Annual Report, Operational Plan, Building Maintenance Report – Asbestos
- Facilitated the deployment and recruitment of human resources coupled with supporting documentation
- Planned, prepared and delivered effective learning and teaching programs maintaining full-time teaching duties
- Sought and secured State Government funding
- Planned for and developed change
2003 – 2005 Teacher – Environmental Education – Sunday Creek Environmental Education Centre (3 years)
- Planned, prepared and delivered effective learning and teaching programs to meet individual learner needs and outcomes that are consistent with relevant syllabus, curriculum policies, work programs and education trends
- Quickly developed knowledge of the local environment
- Effectively managed student behaviour in a respectful and assertive manner modeled on Glasser’s Choice Theory
- Established and maintained a supportive school environment that accesses inter-agency links in order to establish productive partnerships and achieve educational outcomes
- Assisted with the management and further development of personnel, financial information and technology, assets and facilities resources of the school to ensure optimum use
- Challenged students to work towards attainment of their potential whilst providing for their physical, social, cultural and emotional well being
- Facilitated residential camps and day visits to the centre. This includes a pre-visit to the school to develop with the class teacher a program based on their student’s educational needs and outcomes
- Facilitated 3-day Wilderness Treks and Canoe Treks with students identified ‘At-Risk’ and Leaders
- Planned, prepared and delivered Indigenous ‘Culture Camps” with Indigenous speakers and elders
- Respectful, hard working team player
- Maintained an accident free safe working environment in line with WPH&S principles
- Attend Professional Development
2001 – 2002 Advisory Visiting Teacher – Hearing & Intellectual Impairment –Torres Strait (18 months)
- Travel to Outer Island and NPA school communities
- Facilitate an Early Intervention Program – ‘Migi Play’ for children to promote social, language and cognitive development. 100% students identified as Indigenous.
- Model teaching strategies for children with Hearing and Intellectual impairment
- In-service teaching staff on Hearing & Intellectual Impairment teaching strategies
- Liaise with Community Councils and Community Health Centres, informing them of schools needs related to Hearing and Resources required
- Develop a professional network of support for teachers in the Torres Strait and NPA with associations and organisations on mainland Australia ie. Qld Health, Hearing centres, Respite centres, Support Agencies
- Develop rapport and trust with school community, working in partnership for the benefit of their community
- Develop Behaviour Management strategies appropriate to culture and communities
- Provide reports, feedback and recommendations to schools
- Generate interest and participation in Environmental Education, in particular, Clean Beach Days for Outer Island schools
2001 Environmental Education Teacher Thursday Island State School (6 months)
- Classroom and whole school behaviour management.
- Develop daily and weekly developmentally appropriate programs P – 7.
- Develop and implement Environmental Education Programs P – 7.
- Environmental Education Projects include Clean Beach Challenge, Clean Beach Day, Marina the Mermaid, Clean School Day, National Tree Day, School Recycling Program, Kai Kai Garden (traditional island vegetable garden set for commercial production), Waterwatch programs. Clean Beach Day has gained nationwide recognition from Landcare Queensland, Keep Australia Beautiful Council – Qld and Readers Digest Environmental Awards.
- Written, developed and implemented environmental education programs from popular childrens literature making them culturally appropriate for Torres Strait Islanders.
This position has also enabled me to develop productive partnerships with the community of Thursday Island and its surrounding island communities in running quarterly community clean-up days of our island environment. With volunteer numbers well over 240, the community has found these days both productive and rewarding. In this role as co-coordinator, I have:
- Successfully lobby local government (Torres Shire Council) to financially support Clean Beach Days – 4 per year.
- Worked with no budget, having to generate donations and resources.
- Generate additional sponsorship from local businesses and other government departments.
- Co-ordinate 300 volunteers on the day, risk assessments, plant machinery and entertainment.
- Co-ordinate Press Releases, Radio & TV interviews, Newspaper Articles, Marketing
2000 Preschool Teacher – Thursday Island Early Education Centre – Preschool/Kindy
Whilst teaching at Thursday Island E. E.C., I was able to weave the concepts of Environmental Education through out the curriculum. This was achieved through a unit of work called “Marina the Mermaid”, a program that I redeveloped for Underwater World on the Sunshine Coast. Although a site specific program, I adapted Marina to make it culturally appropriate for the children of Thursday Island. The concepts and learning outcomes from the program encouraged children to become active citizens in their community and as a result Clean Beach Days are now a quarterly event for the community. From this work that I achieved with the children, I was awarded the Keep Australia Beautiful (EPA – Clean Beach Challenge) Judges Commendation for Outstanding Achievement – Far North Queensland
1999 Director – Thursday Island Child Care Centre
In 1999, I moved the Thursday Island to take up the role of Director at the local Child Care Centre. As Director, I was responsible for 15 full-time staff and 5 part-time staff. The centre was licensed to accommodate 75 children and after 2 months in the position, I had taken the centre from 43% enrolment to 87% enrolment. Another focus of my position was to train the experienced yet unqualified staff for Accreditation. Again, this was achieved and the staff later went on to study Certificate courses at TAFE and received credit for the in-servicing that I had conducted.
Awards and Nominations
USC – Advance Awards – Enhancing the Student Experience
Short listed Finalist – 2014
Friend of Cherbourg
NAIDOC 2013
Showcase Awards for Excellence – Sunday Creek EEC Wilderness Trek
Education Queensland – 2004
Showcase Awards – Highly Commended – Clean Beach Day
Education Queensland – 2002
Queensland State Winner – Clean Beach Day
Readers Digest Environmental Awards – 2001
Queensland State Winner – Community Action Award – Clean Beach Day
EPA – Clean Beach Challenge – Keep Australia Beautiful – 2001
Far North Queensland Winner – Community Action Award – Clean Beach Day
EPA – Clean Beach Challenge – Keep Australia Beautiful – 2001
Landcare Awards – 2001 – Highly Commended – Individual Achievement
Environmental Heroes – Clean Beach Day
Readers Digest Environmental Awards – 2001
Showcase Awards for Excellence – Highly Commended – Clean Beach Day
Education Queensland – 2001
Nominated for Australia Day Awards – Torres Strait
Community Event of the Year – 2001
Judges Commendation for Outstanding Individual Achievement – Far North Queensland
EPA – Clean Beach Challenge – Keep Australia Beautiful – 2000
Speaking Engagements and Professional Development
2016
State Indigenous Education Conference – Building Capability to embed Indigenous perspectives
QLD History Teachers Association Conference – Brisbane – Crossing Cultures
All Mandatory Training for DET Employees
Good Decisions – State Ombudsman
Calibration Training – The Evidence Hub
NCR HOC Conference
I EAL/D Training
Purchasing and Procurement
IEW Forums
Curriculum and the Community – Bundaberg
Butchulla Country – Embedding Local Indigenous perspectives
Indigenous Playgroups – Facilitator training
Circle Time – A pedagogical approach
2015 – National and QLD History Teachers Association Conferences – Brisbane and Melbourne – The Boys from Barambah
2014 – State Library Queensland – Serving Country Forum – ANZAC 100 – Guest Speaker
2012 – 2015 FOGs – ARTIE Cultural Awareness Training Co-Presenter with Aunty Beverly Hand
2012 USC Reconciliation Action Plan Launch – Speaker
2012 Remote Indigenous Professional Development – Early Years Learning Framework – EYLF Pedagogical Leader – 1 of 11 throughout Queensland
2012 EATSIPS – Regional Perspective DETE
2011 QIECC State Conference – Connect and Engage
2011 University of the Sunshine Coast – Education Symposium
Indigenous Education – Indigenous Community Advisor model, Regional programs and Hidden Histories
2011 Department of Education and Training – Indigenous Education Workers Conference
Host
2011 Early Years Learning Framework Professional Development
Participant
2011 Learn Earn Legend Conference
Senior Phase of Learning, “Murri’s on the Move”
2011 University of Central Queensland
Pre-Service Teachers – Cultural Awareness – Emerging as a beginning Teacher with the Department in Indigenous communities
2011 Earth Smart Initiative – QESSI Sustainable Schools Forum
Indigenous Science Perspectives – Co-Presented with Aunty Beverly Hand
2010 DET – State Principals Conference on Indigenous Education
2010 Indigenous Schools Principal Alliance – Cairns
Indigenous Playgroups, Klebawan Program (GnT) and Building Capacity in Communities
2010 University of the Sunshine Coast – Education Symposium
Indigenous Education – A regional programs perspective
2010 University of Central Queensland
Pre-Service Teachers – Cultural Awareness – Emerging as a beginning Teacher with the Department in Indigenous communities
2010 Tonkin – Indigenous Education and Community Engagement
Participant
2009 QIECC State Conference
Early Years – Indigenous Playgroups
2008 DET – Head of Curriculum Conference at USC
Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Schools
2008 WIPCE
World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education – Melbourne
The Early Years
2008 DET – Closing the Gap REDS and EDS State Conference – Caloundra
A regional approach to Closing the Gap
2008 – Coolibah Dynamic Assessment 6-day training workshop
Trained assessor in Gifted and Talented Education
2008 QIECC State Conference
Queensland Indigenous Education Consultative Committee – Cairns
GECKO Great Educational Choices for Kids Online – Elders and IT Oral Histories Project
2007 QIECC Conference
Queensland Indigenous Education Consultative Committee – Sunshine Coast
2007 Deadly Ears State Conference – Brisbane
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ear Health
2006 DEEWR State Conference
PSPI – Early Years Strategy – Indigenous Playgroups