Brisbane School Of Distance Education Story
The context
- Brisbane School of Distance Education (BSDE) is a state school which has approximately 1500 full time equivalent students.
- BSDE provides curriculum from Prep to Year 12 and enrols students under 'limited choice' and 'by choice' categories.
- BSDE provides schooling by various modes, including:-
- scheduled telephone lessons,
- net meetings,
- blackboard,
- virtual schooling,
- face to face tutorials in school,
- mini schools and
- home visits by teachers and support staff.
- Currently BSDE has approximately 80 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.
Where it is,
- BSDE is located in Brisbane South District (Greater Brisbane Region) in Montague Road, West End.
- There are approximately 150 teachers and approximately 50-60 administrative and support staff.
- Indigenous staff includes:-
- 1 Secondary Teacher
- 1 Community Education Counsellor
- 1 Teacher Aide/ ITAS Tutor
- 1 Teacher Aide/Project Work
Organisational Environment
- Di Oliver, HOD Learning and Student Support Department and Gina Archer, Secondary Teacher were appointed to the school 2001 and commenced an assessment of the school's Indigenous programs. Within six months, Lynn Chapman, Community Education Counsellor and Sonia Renouf, Teacher Aide were appointed to the school.
- By the end of 2001, a school's committee (Indigenous Education Strategic Initiative Program Committee (IESIP) was formed to manage and support Indigenous Education. An identification process was also put in place to ensure that any student enrolling was clearly identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and therefore supported by our committee.
Regarding the P4S Committee:- 'The dedication of all the members on the committee really shows though the high quality activities and range of support given to student and their parents/care givers through Study Circles, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander celebrations held at the school'.
Kerri Schrauf, Teacher Aide
- The IESIP Committee has consistently had approximately 10 members from across the school including Principal, Deputy Principal, Heads of Department, teaching and non teaching staff. This committee then became the Partners for Success (P4S) Committee in 2003 as the P4S Strategy was introduced.
- P4S activities align with the priority areas of P4S Strategy.
- BSDE programs include:-
- Administration of P4S and Indigenous Tutoring Assistance Scheme (ITAS) Funds.
- BSDE Webpage update and inclusion of P4S section.
- Message Stick Interactive CD. (Induction program and "how to survive in the distance education mode")
- Organisation and facilitation of professional development for staff.
- Organisation of significant celebrations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation Week, National Aboriginal and Islander Day Organising Committee (NAIDOC) and National Aboriginal Children's Day (NACD).
- Creation of staff Reconciliation Group (Yarning Circle).
- Recruitment and selection and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
- Development of a comprehensive data base to record and monitor all progress around Indigenous programs at BSDE.
- Annual Planning Day in November every year.
'It's great to see our Aboriginal and Islander students' progress with the help of their I.T.A.S. tutors.'
Grahame Welsh (4-7 teacher & member Partners for Success Committee)
In 2005 Uncle Albert Holt - an Inala Elder - was named Elder of BSDE and BSDE joined the Dare to Lead Coalition.
- Uncle Albert has ongoing involvement in all school activities including Study Circles and special projects such as the CD, Art Exhibition, Awards Day and all other significant days for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and professional development of staff.
- Uncle Albert is also a member of Wangarra Mura.
'As a community elder I am a board member of BSDE Wangarra Mura which came about through consultation from members of BSDE. I have worked with the staff on the development of resources of BSDE.'
'I provide my skills and knowledge on cultural issues. I have been retired just on 6 years and i've never been busier. I am encouraging indigenous students to maximise the opportunities that are there in the education system. I am also doing leadership workshops throughout the Brisbane regions inspiring our future leaders to be proud of their cultural identity, it has been just awesome for me to have this opportunity.'
Uncle Albert Holt
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Professional and Personal Accountabilities
P4S Committee has organised and facilitated the following professional development for staff:-
- Dare to Lead
- What Works
- Teaching Strategies
- Crossing Cultures - It's Everyone's Business
- Crossing Cultures - The Big Picture - A Hidden History
- Showcasing Best Practice
- Leadership Workshop in Curriculum Design and Content
- Professional Development on significant days.
- Policy implementation eg. P4S Strategy
- Departmental Reconciliation Morning Teas (Indigenous community invited to participate)
- Yarning Circles
'I welcome the many contributions of the Partners for Success program to the BSDE community, in particular I highly value its efforts in the development and enhancement of learning resources that are current and relevant for all our students.'
Chris Timms, Secondary Teacher Librarian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce and leadership:-
- Access to professional development eg. University studies, network meetings etc.
- Provide professional development for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers and school staff.
Members of a number of committees:-
- Greater Brisbane Indigenous Education Workers Network
- Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) Curriculum Advisory Group
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Framework for Action Reference Group.
- Wangarra Mura
- Queensland Indigenous Education Consultative Committee (QIECC)
- Sunshine Coast Regional Indigenous Reference Group
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Community Partnerships
- 2002-2004, an Aboriginal Student Support and Parent Awareness Committee (ASSPA) was formed and active until the system changed in 2004.
- 2005, BSDE applied for and was successful in receiving funds from Department of Education Science and Training for Parent School Partnership Initiative program to support and continue the Study Circle program which previously been funded by school and ASSPA Funds.
'All programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at BSDE were both enjoyable and practical. It also helped that students involved in Study Circle Program could continue as they were continuously supported by their families.'
Roberta Bergin (past student -Grade 10, 11 & 12)
- Mid 2005, the Wangarra Mura Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community advisory group was formed. Wangarra Mura meaning "Unity for Everyone". This group consists of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, parents, BSDE staff and key stakeholders from DEST, QSA, Health, Brisbane City Council, Police Liaison Officers, Learning and Engagement Centre Inala & Learning and Engagement Centre Nambour, State Library, Qld Museum, and Greater Brisbane Region.
- From 2008, a representative from Wangarra Mura will be co-signatory on the BSDE Annual Operational Plan.
'The positive achievements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education at BSDE are directly attributable to an active Partners for Success Team. The strength of this team is derived from its wide representation from across the school.'
Warren Parkinson, Head of School P-9
Wangarra Mura members
Back row l to r: Sue Maytom, Mayrah Dreise, Erin McDonald, Bill Buchannan, Gina Archer, Virginia Stahlhut
Front row: Aunty Jenny Thompson, Lynn Chapman, Uncle Albert Holt
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Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Message Stick Interactive CD.
- CD - "Me, My Heritage, My Future" aimed at Year 8-10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and SET Plans.
- Art Exhibition.
- AWARD Day participation by Elder, Uncle Albert Holt, and including 2 Awards.
- Uncle Albert Holt Award for highest academic and community participation by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student and
- BSDE Parent &Citizens Award for primary/secondary academic achievement.
- Community Education Counsellor organises regular Study Circles whereby students attend the school for support with Literacy, numeracy, English, Maths and includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural activities.
- Progressive collection of resources in the Library for students, parents and staff.
- Initial discussions with QSA regarding the implementation of the Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Course at BSDE.
- Discussions with curriculum Heads of Departments where distance learning materials have embedded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
- 1.5% of BSDE curriculum budget is set aside for specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources and curriculum materials.
'It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Australia's Indigenous culture from the descendants of these fine people.'
Solomon Peter, English Teacher, Study Circle Program
Staff Reconciliation Group (Yarning Circle)
Gina Archer, Sonja Carmichael, Aunty Joan Hendriks
The future:
The future for Indigenous programs at BSDE looks extremely 'bright'.
This is due to:-
- the strengths of the organisational environment and community partnerships in particular, the P4S Program is certainly sustainable through the committee structures within BSDE and commitment from Principal and Executive Management team at the school
- These strengths initially came from strong leadership.
- Vital to the success of setting up of the program relies on the strength and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers within the school who are fully supported personally and professionally, to promote and enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and perspectives.
- Sustainability occurs when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are embedded within the whole school community.
Where to from here?
- Continued enhancement of existing programs, including technological and cultural opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
- Opportunity for leadership and community connectivity through promotion of school programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Consolidation of attitudes and perceptions through ongoing professional development.
- Continue to promote and showcase for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enrolment at the school.
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