Fundamental to the design and use of this Curriculum are a set of protocols or guiding principles. These were established through the extensive consultation that took place throughout the development of this Curriculum.
These Protocols have guided teachers in the development of the various resources you will find in the online resource library.
They must also guide the use of these resources in classrooms. For instance, the Protocols identify that this Curriculum is designed to be a vibrant, living resource. This means that essential to appropriate implementation of the curriculum in your classrooms is engaging with the local community (e.g., through on Country excursions, cultural incursions, and guest speakers). Guidance is provided on this throughout the units.
These protocols will be considered through the Professional Development Program that accompanies this resource.
The Protocols / Guiding Principles
- The curriculum should be representative of our diverse First Nations community and all the different groups present;
- The curriculum should focus on individuals and their perspectives;
- The curriculum should represent a variety of these perspectives – so as to form a tapestry, a collective First Nations worldview
- Individuals should be able share their identity, but unit materials should avoid labelling history or culture as ‘Yorta Yorta’ or ‘Bangerang.’
- The Department of Education’s Koorie Engagement Unit and the Goulburn Valley Aboriginal Education Consultative Group are to be central to implementation of the resource in the schools;
- The implementation of the resource MUST be supported by a professional development program in all schools – involvement of the community with this will be critical;
- The resource should be complemented by the strong use of human resources found in community i.e., by suggesting when guest speakers or excursions should be used.
Additional Resources
VAEAI (Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated) have developed Protocols for Koorie Education in Victorian Primary and Secondary Schools.
These protocols provide guidance on a range of things, including engagement between Koorie communities and schools, for engaging with VAEAI and Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups, and for curriculum, teaching, and learning.
Protocols-for-Koorie-Education-in-Victorian-Primary-and-Secondary-Schools-2019.pdf (vaeai.org.au) (Hyperlink image)
The Department of Education has guiding principles for Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture. The principles cover the importance of community consultation, maintaining cultural integrity and respecting cultural intellectual property.
Teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture (education.vic.gov.au)