Affinity Education Group partners with Wandana to boost First Nations learning

Affinity Education Group has announced a partnership with Wandana Aboriginal Education to deliver purpose-built Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural education as part of its Lifelong Learning Curriculum offering. 

Educators and teachers across the Affinity network will have access to a high-quality platform as part of the partnership, which will deliver immersive cultural experiences for children in early education.

Among the resources to be provided through the new partnership with Wandana Aboriginal Education are 30 purpose-built videos filmed on Country, which are accompanied by related classroom activities.

Affinity’s Dr Lesley Jones, Head of Education and Pedagogy, believes the partnership will assist the group in its efforts to improve and deepen the understanding of First Nations perspectives and cultures for its team. 

Wandana Aboriginal Education’s Brian Cook said the entire Wandana team are thrilled to respectfully and mindfully support the initiative/ 

“We greatly appreciate the guidance and support of our Aboriginal Elders and community leaders over many years and the opportunity to share some of their wisdom and insights to create a better future for everyone,” Mr Cook said.

“We value every member of the Affinity Education Group community, especially the educators and teachers who will deliver this program, and we look forward to getting to know them and serve them into the future.” 

To celebrate the new partnership, Wandana Aboriginal Education gifted Dr Lesley Jones with a painting titled ‘The Journey‘ – a modern, contemporary piece that pays homage to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Queensland and its local islands. The painting was created by Ms Gabby Collins, a proud Biripi Aboriginal woman, from Wandana Aboriginal Education.

“The small dotted waves in yellow and white which flow represent the many Affinity Education Group centres and their communities across Queensland. The large blue and white dotted circles represent our ancestors of the past, their connection to Country, spirituality and contribution to society over thousands of years,” Ms Collins explained.

Learn more about Affinity’s Lifelong Learning Curriculum here.