At Leppington Public School, we are committed to creating a culturally safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment where Aboriginal histories, cultures and perspectives are valued and celebrated. In line with the priorities of the NSW Department of Education and our partnership with families and community, Aboriginal Education is embedded across school life through learning programs, cultural experiences and meaningful opportunities for connection and understanding. We believe all students benefit from developing knowledge, respect and appreciation of Aboriginal cultures, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are supported to feel a strong sense of belonging, pride and success in their learning journey.

In Term 1, our Aboriginal Education Committee has been proud to lead a range of meaningful initiatives that strengthen cultural identity, build strong relationships, and provide opportunities for student voice across our school community.

Our Student Yarning Group has provided a valued weekly opportunity for Aboriginal students to come together in a supportive and welcoming space to set personal goals, reflect on attendance, celebrate achievements, and enjoy a cheese toastie for breakfast. A highlight this term was the opportunity for students to meet and collaborate with the artist designing our Aboriginal mural, which will be featured on the walls surrounding the onsite construction. This has been an inspiring experience, allowing students to contribute ideas and engage in the creative process of a significant whole-school cultural artwork. The Yarning Group also continues to play an important role in ensuring student voice is heard, providing feedback on school initiatives and strengthening student agency within the school.

Our weekly Koori Club is open to all students, providing opportunities to explore and celebrate Aboriginal culture and traditions. This term, students engaged in hands-on learning as they created yarning sticks and explored the importance of storytelling within Aboriginal culture. They also deepened their understanding of the Aboriginal Flag, learning about its symbolism and significance for all First Nations people.

We were pleased to host a Parent Yarning Group, bringing together parents, carers, and family members of our Aboriginal students. This session provided a valuable opportunity to build strong relationships between families and staff, particularly at the beginning of the year. It also supported collaborative discussions around the development of authentic and meaningful Personalised Learning Pathway (PLP) goals, ensuring that student learning is guided by shared aspirations between home and school. These PLPs are proudly displayed in classrooms and the clubhouse, utilising the template that was co-constructed with our Aboriginal students. This initiative allows students to see their goals represented in a meaningful way. This visibility helps to strengthen ownership, keeps aspirations at the forefront of daily learning, and reinforces the importance of goal-setting as an ongoing, shared journey between students, staff and families.

Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to cultural pride, student voice, and strong community partnerships, ensuring Aboriginal perspectives and aspirations are embedded authentically across our school.