RICHARDSON PRIMARY SCHOOL, ACT
SCHOOL:
Richardson Primary School is a Government Preschool-to-Year 6 school in Canberra. The school has a current enrolment of 242 with 14% of the school's population being Indigenous.
PROGRAMS:
The focus at Richardson Primary School is on building strong relationships and partnerships between all students, staff, parents and the wider community. Vivien Palmer says, "As principal I lead the acknowledgment of the strength, spirit, endurance and diversity of Australia's Indigenous people at RPS. I recognise the impact of history on Indigenous families, country, cultures, language and society. At RPS I lead the team to actively participate in the process of Reconciliation through a wide range of teaching and learning activities based on respectful and inclusive relationships and I have achieved success by developing personal and authentic relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people."
To this end, Ms Palmer has created many opportunities for Indigenous parents, guest speakers and performers to speak at school assemblies, staff and parent meetings. Ms Palmer has also led and coordinated the Parent School Partnership Initiatives (PSPI) across five Government primary schools and one Government high school during 2007-2008.
OUTCOMES:
Positive change at Richardson Primary School:
- Improved attendance for Indigenous students
- Personalised Learning Plans in place for all Indigenous students
- Dare to Lead collegial snapshot completed and outcomes shared with community
- Reconciliation Action Plan completed and submitted
- Whole-school curriculum Indigenous focus
- Performing with students at two other schools as Googars Collaborative Student Indigenous Dance Group
- Stronger connections with the local Indigenous community and agencies
COMMUNITY COMMENT:
"We are both so proud to have our kids attend Richardson Primary School. There are so many opportunities for our kids and ourselves to feel strong and proud of our Aboriginal heritage and to know we are welcomed so warmly and positively." - Victoria Waugh and John Van Den Dungen, parents
MORE INFORMATION:
Vivien Palmer, Principal 02 6205 8200 or vivien.palmer@ed.act.edu.au
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