Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
At Nurture, we are learning, working, developing and playing on Aboriginal land, the land of the First Peoples of Australia. We not only understand and recognise this important factor, we choose to connect to Indigenous culture to the best of our ability and knowledge through using a Reconciliation Action Plan.
A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a document which outlines achievable, meaningful goals for our service. These goals are aligned with Australian Aboriginal culture, with the purpose of raising awareness as well as respecting traditions, history and the true roots of the land we are privileged to be on. A RAP is a formal commitment to reconciliation. It is steeped in respect for Indigenous culture whilst outlining initiatives to build understanding amongst our Nurture children, educators, families and community.
At Nurture Early Learning, we use the Narragunnawali platform to create and manage our RAP, with a ‘RAP Specialist’ who ensures our Nurture community are actively working towards achieving our reconciliation goals.
Our current goals include:
- To learn stories and songs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and participate in this culture each day.
- For the team to understand the history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to understand and be committed to ongoing active reconciliation.
- To form relationships with an Elder to conduct smoking ceremonies and Acknowledgement of Country for important and significant events.
- To set up a Yarning Circle for the community at Nurture so all feel welcome.
- For each classroom to have evidence of teaching about reconciliation in their monthly programme.
- To embed the Acknowledgement of Country into everyday practices, mat sessions and meetings.
- To respectfully display Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and inspired artwork.
- To learn and integrate the six Noongar seasons into the children’s monthly learning programme.
Ultimately, our Nurture team aim to go above and beyond simply recognising events such as NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Week. Although these are highly important, we want to embrace such events as well as embedding a deep respect and higher knowledge of the culture, traditions and history of Australia’s First Peoples and through the integration of our RAP, this is possible.