Staff Professional Learning & Development Committee:

Cultural Awareness & Indigenous Perspectives

Minutes
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Attendees:
Caitlin Videon
Werner Geldenhuys
Bernie Meixner
Pierre Visser
Rebecca Corcoran
Absent:
Lisa Knight
Katherine Hannon

What is in place now within the college? What values of cultural awareness
and Indigenous Perspectives are already embedded in our curriculum and
general structure at Samaritan? What can be improved?

General overview of our professional role is in cultural awareness &

Indigenous perspectives
-need to be exposed to elements of the curriculum where culture, in all
forms, is involved
-faculty heads to ensure that unit content is being met within areas of
the curriculum
-educators to be ensure content, regardless if directly linked to
Indigenous peoples or other cultures, is delivered sensitively and
respectfully

We are not always aware students cultural background

-use our resources to be informed in the event of having Indigenous
and culturally diverse students
-prepare ourselves to consider Indigenous and cultural perspectives in
our classrooms and when delivering content
-know

the

curriculum;

where

ACARA

indicates

cross-curriculum

priorities; how it can be achieved and implemented into our teaching

Reach out to the resources and networks available to us in the college

-Di Hancock (her briefing at upcoming staff meeting may provide some
valuable insight) and Veena Raymond; both accessible personally and
via email and may be able to provide some fundamental information
and resources
-Calendar year of significant events for the Indigenous community and
other cultures, i.e. National Apology Day, NAIDOC, Harmony Day/Week
-Involve visual and verbal awareness during such events, (posters,
speeches,

ribbons);

acknowledging

cultural

heritage

and

the

Indigenous community in Whyalla (Barngarla community)

-Integrate such days/weeks etc. into our curriculum, not necessarily
teaching explicit content but involving elements where possible to
affirm the significance (prayer may be an opportunity where this could
occur and be achieved successfully by staff)

Other cultures in our Samaritan community

-Awareness

of

cultural

diversity

amongst

our

whole

Samaritan

community; i.e. staff members

Celebration and awareness when significant events arise
-Could

have

multi-cultural

celebration/awareness

shared

recess

amongst staff; possibly integrate with some element of fundraising

-A multi-cultural celebration could occur for students also

At conclusion of meeting
-Committee members encouraged to share thoughts and ideas via
email with each other as the term unfolds
-Bernie to forward calendar from Di Hancock, re: significant events in
our Indigenous community
-Aim to address any events, ideas or ways of educating our fellow staff
members on our professional area both informally and formally
-Next meeting in Week 10