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A community celebration at Grace Berglund Kindergarten, Warragul, was held to mark the approval of their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) by Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education and Reconciliation Australia.
Y Kinders’ Pedagogy Coach, Karen Chugg, has supported the kindergarten in a thorough process that has taken a few years.
“The dedication of the team at Grace Berglund throughout their journey to create a Reconciliation Action Plan should be recognised,” Karen shared. “It is reflective of their commitment to Reconciliation with our First Peoples and also to their strong focus on inclusion for all.”
Many guests were invited to join the kinder children, staff team and families at the event. Aunty Linda Mullett-Kurnai, Lisa Williams and Jaymee Lee O’Donaghue from Best Start, Best Life Aboriginal Children’s Program and local KESO, Kaylene McKinnon attended the celebration, which took place in the kinder grounds, in beautiful autumn weather.
Following the children’s version of an Acknowledgement of Country, the Kinder’s vision for Reconciliation was read.
As part of the proceedings, everyone was invited to contribute to a “RAP collage” via a handprint or through a written contribution. A morning tea followed, catered for by the children, who had used Bush Tucker ingredients to bake some delicious Lemon Myrtle biscuits and Wattle Seed Muffins.
Pauline Whyte, teacher at the kinder, has been incredibly dedicated to the process and explained, “Our journey and commitment to Reconciliation started many years ago with staff, families, children and community conducting research, connecting with Kurnai Elders and sharing this knowledge as we commit to stamping out racism, acknowledging the wrongs of the past and ensuring the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our learning environment.”
Karen and Pauline acknowledge that while the steps have taken some time, it has led to strong partnerships with the local Traditional Owners, including Kurnai Elders.
The legacy of this process and the teaching team’s commitment can be seen in many small ways and in so many facets of the program. Indigenous perspectives are truly embedded in the curriculum throughout the year, and not just on special days or events.
Karen added, “When they venture out, there is a real sense of connection to Country, as Pauline and the team encourage children to tune into nature and notice what is happening in the local environment. When they walk on Country you can see the children learning and making connections to the land, sky and the seasonal changes they encounter along the way.”
While it’s a very important step to celebrate, Pauline emphasised, “Our work in this space does not end with this document – it continues with this document.”
Find out more about Grace Berglund Kindergarten and their program here.
