Embedding culture every day: Evans Head–Woodburn Preschool recognised for reconciliation leadership

Evans Head–Woodburn Preschool in northern New South Wales has been recognised for its deep and sustained commitment to embedding Indigenous culture, language and knowledge throughout its educational program.

Rather than being confined to a single activity or scheduled lesson, Indigenous perspectives are woven through the entire learning environment. This cultural emphasis is reflected in the way educators speak about the land, engage with the children, and design learning experiences that honour connection to Country.

One powerful example is the use of language and song. Children sing a special song about Country in both English and Bandjalang, the local language. At the preschool’s end-of-year celebration, Juniper and her classmates performed the song along with a Bandjalang version of “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”, an experience Ms King described as “brilliant”. She noted that Juniper now shares what she learns at preschool, helping her family connect with local history.

Preschool Director Cath Gillespie explained that the integration of Indigenous knowledge has been developed over several years, with strong leadership from Bandjalang woman Kirby Slade, who serves as the service’s educational leader and cultural advisor. Together, they have cultivated a learning environment where reconciliation and truth-telling are central to everyday practice.

A range of initiatives support this work, including the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan, visits from a local Elder, and a mentoring program, affectionately known as the “cousins” program, with older students from a neighbouring school.

Complex historical topics are also introduced in developmentally appropriate ways. In the lead-up to the 2023 Indigenous Voice referendum, the preschool used Thomas Mayo’s Finding Our Heart, a book designed to explain the Uluru Statement from the Heart to children, as a starting point for conversations about colonisation. Ms Gillespie said the resource helped children develop “a deep understanding” of Australia’s history.

Regular on-Country learning is another cornerstone of the preschool’s approach. Children explore nearby bushland, guided by Bandjalang language and seasonal observation. Ms Slade highlighted how these immersive experiences foster “really authentic, deep learning” as children connect language with land, animals and plants in context. Parents frequently share how much their children gain from these excursions.

Evans Head–Woodburn Preschool’s efforts were recently acknowledged with a prestigious Narragunnawali Award from Reconciliation Australia, which celebrates early learning services and schools demonstrating exceptional leadership in reconciliation.

Ms Slade described the award as a powerful validation of “all of our hard work and the effort that our whole team and our families and community have put in”. Ms King agreed, saying the recognition was “long overdue” and that the team’s efforts go “above and beyond anything that they have to do”.

Source: Eastern Riverina Chronicle.