Aboriginal Education

Acknowledgement of Country

Roselea Public School is located on Wattamattagal (Snapper fish) Country which is part of the Dharug nation.

It is not too far from the Burramattagal (Parramatta) River (place where Eels lie down to breed).

Our Aboriginal students and student leaders took part in a workshop to understand the importance of why the Acknowledgement of Country takes place at meetings, assemblies and community events when people meet on Local Country with the local AECG.

The connections Aboriginal Peoples have with land, waterways, flora, fauna and sky were explained in both traditional and contemporary ways.

Students learn about management and respect of Local Country and the relationship to Aboriginal Peoples culture. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced a long history of exclusion from Australian history. Including recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in events and meetings contributes to ending the exclusion that has been so damaging.

Our school Acknowledgement of Country, has been written by Aboriginal Students and Dave Lardner, President of the AECG.

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Roselea Aboriginal Art

Roselea collaborated with Mandy Draper, a proud Aboriginal Darug woman of the Cabrogal Clan to create a school art work that was connected to local country. Mandy is a dedicated artist, designer and producer of Indigenous Art. She creates unique hand painted ceramic plant pots and wooden serving boards.

Through painting, it is Mandy’s mission to share how art can have the ability to positively impact people's lives. Each product is hand painted with love by Mandy and each design tells a special story. She designed the artwork for our school.

The artwork represents Roselea Public School, connecting with students, teachers and the community. It also shows the Hawkesbury river (Dyarubbin in Dharug language), the Blue Mountains and the Three sisters (Dreamtime story).

Connecting with Hornsby Aboriginal Educational Consultative Group

Roselea has fostered a unique and ongoing relationship with local Hornsby AECG for many years. This has seen both Principals and staff attend meetings to ensure that current knowledge and educational pathways are current and supportive of their direction. Such pathways have seen Aboriginal students and Roselea staff recognised with awards at a regional level, including 'Excellence for contribution to Aboriginal Education' and 'Excellence in Creative and Perorming Arts'.

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At Roselea, Aboriginal Education of local country, the Dharug language and land, is embedded through a variety of culturally responsive and inclusive practices. This rich teaching and learning has led to the incorporation of Dharug language lessons into the geography curriculum, providing students with opportunities to learn and use traditional words, phrases, and meanings in meaningful contexts.

Cultural programs are established, often in partnership with local Dharug community, Muru Mittigar, who share stories, customs, and history to deepen students’ understanding and respect for the culture. In the past, this has seen incursions incorporating art and dance. Additionally, elements that have been taught and visually represented, have seen the establishment of visual elements such as artworks and signage in the Dharug language displayed around the school to create a culturally rich environment.

Professional development for teachers is also at the forefront of learning. This has led to effective teaching of Dharug language and cultural content, ensuring that learning is authentic and respectful. Through these embedded approaches, Roselea fosters an inclusive atmosphere where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students feel valued and all students develop greater appreciation and knowledge of Dharug heritage.

The Roselea Aboriginal bush tucker garden is a specially designed space that showcases native Australian plants traditionally used by Indigenous peoples for food, medicine and cultural practices. These gardens highlight the rich biodiversity and deep knowledge that the Dharug people have with the natural environment, featuring plants such as native apple, salt bush and yam daisies. Muru Mittigar Nursery was originally sourced to provide professional learning and knowledge about the plants that are native to Dharug country and land as an importance of planting and cultivating elements that already come from local land.

Beyond providing an educational experience, the Aboriginal bush tucker garden serves as a valuable tool for promoting cultural awareness and reconciliation, allowing people to connect with the land and appreciate the sustainable ways in which Indigenous Australians have cared for their country over thousands of years. They foster respect for Aboriginal heritage and encourage the preservation of traditional ecological knowledge for future generations.

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