Supporting our staff and systems to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and students.
Highlights:
Our Commitment to Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples sets clear commitments for the Department of Education to support improved outcomes for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Online panels were held to discuss how schools and workplaces have been actioning this Commitment Statement.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce strategy aims to build inclusive workplaces that are culturally capable and increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in teaching, classified teaching and senior management roles.
The Cultural Capability Action Plan recognises the importance of the department becoming more representative and inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It establishes actions over a 3-year period to build cultural capability across systems, processes and practices.
A Cultural Capability Framework is being developed to ensure culturally capable and confident people across the department are delivering responsive services. An online Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of inclusion offers practical advice and information on building cultural capability of staff.
The English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) Hub provided online professional development for teachers to learn how to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are learning Standard Australian English as an additional language or dialect.
The RATEP (Remote Area Teacher Education Program) community-based teacher education program continued to increase employment of Indigenous teachers and grow the capability of Indigenous paraprofessionals within Queensland state schools.
A new Beginning Teacher program was developed, involving inclusive workforce practices and principles. As part of the on-boarding process, a suite of tools will assist beginning teachers to understand the Department of Education's strategic directions for inclusion and diversity.
Case studies
RATEP Rising Educator – Peter Prince
A proud Gamilaroi man and Toowoomba RATEP student, Peter Prince, was the undergraduate recipient of the Top Academic Indigenous Award for Education at the 2020 James Cook University Indigenous Student Awards in Townsville.
In 2018, Peter commenced his inspiring journey towards becoming a primary school teacher when he completed his Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education through RATEP at TAFE Queensland North.
In 2019, Peter commenced studies at James Cook University. He has approached his tertiary studies with diligence and a determination to firmly embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into classroom practices.