Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

Catholic Schools NSW commitment to
Aboriginal Education

Catholic Schools New South Wales recognises Aboriginal people as the original inhabitants of Australia, and embraces the rich culture, diversity, languages and customs that exist both within and across Australia’s many Aboriginal Nations.

Catholic Schools NSW is committed to supporting the learning and life outcomes of each Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student. Our Reconciliation Action Plan 2019 – 2021 and Aboriginal Education Strategy 2019- 2023 outline our commitment and actions in supporting all teachers, schools and communities to build culturally inclusive school environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Together, they also demonstrate our commitment to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy 2015 vision that:

All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people achieve their full learning potential, are empowered to shape their own futures, and are supported to embrace their culture and identity as Australia’s First Nations peoples.
– National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy ( Education Council, 2015 pg2 ).

~3.3%

of NSW Catholic School students are Indigenous.

8,479

Indigenous students in NSW Catholic Schools

106

Indigenous teaching staff in NSW Catholic Schools

252

Indigenous non-teaching staff (2.8% of total)

You are part of Australia and Australia is a part of you. And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others.
– St John Paull II, ‘Address to the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders‘, Alice Spring, Australia, 29 November 1986

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