Yalbinyagirri promotes the incorporation of Wiradjuri cultural values in authentic learning experiences for staff and students across Binalong, Cootamundra, Harden/Murrumburrah and Jugiong communities.
Established in 2016, the project is continually evolving to meet the needs of the Wiradjuri community, educators and students.
Vision:
To promote understanding of students, educators and the wider community with experiences and opportunities that are authentic, culturally rich, historically accurate, inclusive and embracive.
Values:
Cultural Understanding
Identity
Inclusivity
Respect
Sensitivity
Empathy
Mission/Aim:
To foster a living history and continuing reconciliation journey by embedding local Wiradjuri history, culture and contributions in authentic learning experiences. This will facilitate greater understanding and respect for Aboriginal cultural values and perspectives by educators, students and all stakeholders of the Yalbinyagirri learning community.
To further embed the cross-curriculum priority of developing and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures; a priority identified in the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians.
Sequences of Learning:
The sequences of learning in Yalbinyagirri follow the Wiradjuri way of life as described in Yindyamarra Yambuwan and the eight Aboriginal ways of learning.
The overarching values that direct all learning include:
§ Look, Listen and Learn
§ Elders
§ Country
These values are essential for learning and understanding Wiradjuri cultural values and histories.
Divided into eleven steps of learning, step one provides a foundational introduction for anyone beginning learning and further steps build on these understandings and awareness. Each step of learning is connected to the NSW Syllabus for Early Stage One to Stage Three and follow important aspects of Wiradjuri culture including:
§ Language
§ Stories
§ Connections
§ Art
§ Country
§ Living
§ Land
§ Lore/Law
Lead Schools: Participating Schools:
Cootamundra Public School Jugiong Public School
EA Southee Public School, Cootamundra Murrumburrah Public School
Binalong Public School
Valued Contributors:
Aunty Joycelan Williams Uncle Roy "Jacko" Levett
Judy McFadyen Dr Julia Atkin
Suzanne Hewett-Davis Bill Godman
Jenene Mcgrath Darron Watt and the REEC staff Mandy and Michael DeMestre