School-based action planning workshops to strengthen Indigenous education pathways

Last month, with the support of the Maningrida School Principal, WCE staff facilitated two workshops with school staff, with the following aims:

• To feed back the research findings – providing a platform to voice the stories from families in Maningrida about their education experiences and aspirations, as well as those of their children, grandchildren and future generations.
• To provide an opportunity for reflection on action/s that can be taken by school staff to support and strengthen education and training opportunities for school students and staff; and
• To inform a draft Community Education Action Plan – which all service providers in community are invited to contribute to - that identifies key opportunities that support the education pathways of people in community, including partnerships between agencies on key activities.

Following the workshop, one Indigenous teacher reflected “this is powerful and important work you are doing”.

Additional workshops presenting research and evaluation findings are being planned for October and November, inviting participation from Traditional owners, community leaders and board members of key Aboriginal organisations in Maningrida (Maningrida Progress Association, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation and Malabam Health Board), and Interagency staff (Heads and Managers/Coordinators). 

Written by Millie Olcay, Dean Yibarbuk and Seraine Namundja