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Kids in Action Program 2020

by on January 19, 2020 Community, Education, Uncategorized

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Super excited to be diversifying my portfolio of projects in 2020 with the Kids in Action program here on the Sunshine Coast.

I have been involved with the Kids in Action program for many years and am excited to continue with the great work this program has achieved over this time.  In 2020, I will be teaming up with Karen Shaw from Brush Turkey who was the original contractor for KIA and Mandy Bottrell who has been instrumental in the success of the program for many years in her position with Envirocom.  Together, we are the new contractors for 2020-21  and are focused on strengthening and developing the program further to ensure First Nations knowledge and engagement are at the core of this program.

2020’s Theme is We are Botanica: Plants for healthy bodies, minds, spirit, and planet.

The program will engage over 300 students from schools that are located on Jinibari and Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubii lands within the Sunshine Coast Regional Councils footprint.  Students will engage with First Nations mentors to learn more about the world around them with a particular focus on Botanics.  Teachers will be supported to build their knowledge, pedagogical approaches, professional practices and relationships with First Nations Custodians to build a shared understanding of our world.  Check out these clips from 2019 to see what this program is all about, you will not be disappointed.

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If you are a teacher or parent of a child on the Sunshine Coast, please get in contact with me to receive program information about this premiere Environmental Education program.  More information can be accessed via https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Environment/Education-Resources-and-Events/Kids-in-Action-Program and by watching the two clips above.

Yarnin’ Up on Country with Aunty Beverly Hand – Milford Lodge

by on August 28, 2019 Community, Education

I’ll be Yarnin’ Up on Country with well respected Kabi Kabi Elder, Aunty Beverly Hand, so join us for the day at Milford Lodge on the 2nd of November, 2019.  Participants will engage in a series of workshops that will build their Cultural Capability to embed Aboriginal ways of learning with their Pedagogical Practices and deeply connect with country and the history of the Kabi Kabi people.

8 Aboriginal ways of learning –  Peel off the layers and dig deeper to understand 8 Aboriginal ways of learning.  This masterclass will enable participants to develop their pedagogical practices to always ensure they are embedding an Aboriginal perspective regardless of the content or topic. This session will underpin the learning of the day as we apply the framework to practical hands-on experiences on country.
Crossing Cultures : Hidden Histories – Using 7 interactive posters, participants will gain greater insight and understanding of the local story as we journey through a 65, 000 year history and make connections with our more recent shared history of the past 250 years and the impact this has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their culture.  Participants will reflect on what they have discovered and how they could use 8 Aboriginal ways of learning to embed this in their classrooms.
Walk, Talking Country – consolidate the days learning with a walk on country, talking about local plants and animals and the different ways in which they were used for food or medicine by Kabi Kabi people.  This walk will provide an opportunity for participants to connect with country using Uncle Ernie’s Holistic Framework as we look through the 4 windows of time to understand how the land, culture, language, place, and relationships have changed over time.
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8 ways embedded within popular children’s books

by on August 19, 2019 Community, Education

These learning maps were drawn just a couple of weeks ago by participants from the AAEE, Kids in Action PD day at the Maroochy Botanical Gardens.  This session was facilitated by Nicole Simone, who used popular children’s books to support Educators to apply 8 ways of learning.  Here’s what the participants came up with.  Remember you don’t have to use all 8 ways in one go, but double points if you do.  8 ways is a great framework to identify the pedagogical practices we use to facilitate learning.  Texts included:  Where the Forest meets the Sea, Going on a Bear Hunt, I’m a Dirty Dinosaur, Noah’s Ark.

 

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Heading South in the Winter….bbbrrrr!!

by on August 14, 2019 Community, Education

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I’ll be heading to Canberra next week to brave the cold to speak at the ACT Government – Education for the Rediscovering Cultures and Languages Symposium.  Join me on Thursday the 22nd of August at 2 pm for a workshop featuring Our Land, Our Stories.  I’ll be choosing some of the stories within the series to highlight the Symposium Theme.  Join me to learn more about this landmark series and see how it will support you to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures within your teaching every day.

TAFE online, TAFE Queensland Teachers and KU staff engage with Building Cultural Capability

by on August 14, 2019 Community, Education

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In the past week, I have been working with 50 Educators to Break down Barriers to Build Cultural Capability. The constant feedback I receive from participants is that “we were not taught this stuff at school or in our tertiary education”.  Educators express their desire to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait histories and cultures but are worried they are going to ‘stuff-up’.  My answer, “You most probably will, but get over yourself and just giving it a go, apologise and listen when people explain why.

Throughout these sessions, participants have been introduced to the Building Cultural Capability Model and have engaged with activities and conversations which will enable them to reflect on their own cultural background and privilege as a part of their cultural capability journey.

If you or a colleague seek to build your cultural capability but aren’t sure how to go about it, give Sally a call or email to discuss upcoming opportunities for you to engage with.

Sunshine Coast Queensland