Environmental Sustainability in Schools

Koorie perspectives

This priority area of environmental sustainability action includes activities that can be undertaken to consider Koorie perspectives on environmental sustainability.

See Case studies and Resources for additional guidance and resources.

Schools can choose to:

• get support from Koorie Education Coordinators. Schools, parents and community can obtain assistance with Koorie cultural inclusion, Koorie education guidance and support through their region by contacting the Koorie Education Coordinators with enquiries
• support Koorie families in your schools by engaging with Koorie Engagement Support Officers. Koorie Education Coordinators are able to arrange for a regional support officer to be assigned to any school where contact with Koorie families may be requested. They provide advice to schools about culturally inclusive learning environments, coordination of services to support engagement and improved outcomes for Koorie children and young people. More information can be found at Contact a Koorie education coordinator
• integrate Koorie perspectives when teaching sustainability and other subjects across the curriculum. The Indigenous Knowledge Institute provides a range of resources for years 3 to 10 across a range of subjects and themes. Use the search feature to find resources. Cool Australia also has a range of curriculum resources on Caring for Country in their Indigenous education teaching materials. Deadly Science is a not-for-profit organisation that contains resources embedding Indigenous science perspectives in schools
• apply Koorie perspectives when improving the environment in and around your school by planting an Indigenous Garden. Junior Landcare provides guidance on how to do this in a culturally appropriate way
• be inspired by how other schools have taught environmental sustainability and Koorie perspectives by visiting the Case studies chapter of this policy to understand how Reservoir East Primary School and Newham Primary School incorporated Koorie perspectives into their schools
• use reputable sources to give you confidence in the teaching of Koorie perspectives. Teachers who are not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander can confidently teach others about Koorie perspectives by relying on appropriate resources. Koorie Teaching Resources gives you information about how to deliver an Acknowledgement of Country and protocols for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture. Reconciliation Victoria has webinars in a range of subjects including cultural safety in the classroom. All Victorians can learn more about Aboriginal culture and history through Deadly Questions
• reach out to the Victoria Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) for support and guidance. VAEAI provides a number of free resources on their website which provide Koorie Perspectives on a range of subjects including Koorie perspectives in STEM, National Sorry Day and the appropriateness of undertaking cultural activities such as dot painting
• engage with local Traditional Owners. Traditional Owners hold unique and special knowledge, rights and connection to their traditional Country, including deep knowledge of how to care for country, and land-based learning. Please contact your Koorie Education Coordinator before engaging with Traditional Owners directly. The First Peoples-State Relations website has further information about Traditional Owners groups. VAEAI can also help you to connect with Traditional Owners for guidance on learning about Caring for Country and Aboriginal names for plants and animals.