SAC’s First Nations Strategic Planning Committee

SAC’s First Nations Strategic Planning Committee

Wednesday 20 August marked the first meeting for SAC’s First Nations Strategic Planning dedicated to improving outcomes for First Nations students. Lead by Barb Fox the committee is made up of eight members, six of whom are First Nations peoples, and is guided by SAC’s overarching Strategic Plan and Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

L-R: Kiah Buckskin-James, Indi Bament-Sitkowski, Viv Graney, Barb Fox, Alex Kirkham and Rachel Gould.
On screen: Joanne Buckskin

The committee will focus on three key areas:

• Culture and Wellbeing
• Curriculum and Learning
• Faith Formation

At our inaugural meeting, we welcomed:

• Barb Fox (Larrakia & Tiwi – First Nations Project Coordinator)
• Kiah Buckskin-James (Kaurna, Narungga & Wirangu, Southern Arrernte – Parent)
• Joanne Buckskin (Kaurna, Narungga & Wirangu, Southern Arrernte – Grandparent)
• India Bament-Sitkowski (Narungga – First Nations Student Support Officer)
• Alex Kirkham (Wurundjeri – SAC Teacher)
• Viv Graney (First Nations Focus Teacher)
• Rachel Gould (Director of Student Wellbeing)

We also acknowledge Joel Bayliss (Gudanji & Wanbaya – Parent) who sent his apologies.

Key ideas from our first meeting include:

• Strengthening connections among First Nations families through opportunities to meet and yarn
• Enhancing consultation and collaboration with families
• Hosting cultural workshops for First Nations students by First Nations people
• Supporting First Nations perspectives in curriculum design
• Complementing and strengthening the ongoing academic support of First Nations students

“The meeting was very inspiring and was a great example of working together in partnerships. Our beautiful school needs active working parties to support cultural learning, I feel very privileged to be a part of this process.” Joanne Buckskin

“I’m really excited to see what more we can do to engage our Indigenous students in secondary school and build their sense of connectedness with culture.” Rachel Gould

“… as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander have been coming together for 60000 years. We share and yarn. So whatever we come up with, we need to share this other Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander parents within the school.” Joel Bayliss

We are excited to begin this important work and are committed to listening and learning from our community. We warmly invite feedback, ideas, and involvement from all First Nations parents and carers. Your voices are vital in shaping a culturally safe and empowering environment for our students.

If you would like to connect, contribute, or learn more, please reach out to Barb Fox (bfox@sac.sa.edu.au) or any committee member.

Ms Barbara Fox
Larrakia & Tiwi – First Nations Project Coordinator

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