Koori Curriculum Leadership Retreat 2025: An immersive PD opportunity 

The Koori Curriculum Leadership Retreat 2025 offers early childhood leaders and educators a unique and powerful opportunity to deepen their cultural understanding, critically reflect on their practice, and engage meaningfully with Aboriginal perspectives in early childhood education.

Hosted by Jessica Staines, and held on Awabakal Country (Newcastle) this immersive retreat is designed to support educators in responding to the updated Early Years Learning Framework (V2.0), which recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives as a foundational principle that underpins quality early childhood education and care (ECEC).

The EYLF V2.0 invites educators to engage with the principle relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and the importance of intercultural ways of knowing, being and doing. As part of exploring this principle, and translating it into actionable steps, events such as the retreat provide an immersive opportunity to explore, engage, and be intentional about how this principle translates into practice. 

Leaders in ECEC services have a powerful opportunity to ensure that these changes are interwoven across all five learning outcomes, and that educators are capturing and strengthening pedagogical Principles and Practices as guidance to further their work with children. 

As a professional development experience, the Koori Curriculum Leadership Retreat 2025 directly supports educators and leaders to:

• Engage Authentically with Culture: By participating in on-Country experiences, including a Cultural Walking Tour of Glenrock Recreation Park with Amos from Muurrungmari, a Welcome to Country ceremony with Tim from Girrigirra, yarning circles, and guided reflection, leaders will have a genuine and respectful understanding of Aboriginal culture, Country, and ways of knowing, being and doing.

• Strengthen Leadership Practice in Cultural Inclusion: During the retreat, participants will develop the knowledge, confidence, and cultural responsiveness to lead and model inclusive practice within early childhood settings, aligning with the EYLF V2.0’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and Reconciliation.

• Support Tangible Reconciliation Action: The retreat is a way for committed leaders to move beyond symbolic gestures and engage in critical reflection and authentic practice that supports Reconciliation in action. The retreat provides a safe and supportive space to consider how services can respectfully embed Aboriginal perspectives and build sustained relationships with local communities.

• Respond to Professional and Regulatory Expectations: As expectations grow for educators and leaders to demonstrate cultural competence and implement culturally inclusive curriculum, this retreat offers a meaningful and accredited way to meet professional learning requirements and service goals.

• Build Professional Networks: Attendees will have the opportunity to build new professional connections, and to reestablish existing connections, all of whom share a common goal of improving outcomes for children.

The Koori Curriculum Leadership Retreat is not only a high-quality professional learning experience — it is a personal and professional commitment to cultural integrity, equity, and Reconciliation in early childhood education.

This retreat will be of particular interest to educational leaders, service managers, and early childhood professionals who are responsible for guiding curriculum, practice, and strategic planning within their settings.

For further information, or to register, please visit this link.