Building stronger foundations: why Narragunnawali RAP workshops matter for schools and early learning services

As reconciliation becomes an increasingly important priority across Australia’s education landscape, schools and early learning services are seeking practical and meaningful ways to embed reconciliation into everyday practice.

One of the most established pathways is the development and ongoing refinement of a Narragunnawali Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), a structured framework designed to help learning communities strengthen relationships, respect and opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Narragunnawali’s professional learning workshops provide educators and leaders with guided support to build capability, confidence and practical strategies for implementing reconciliation in authentic and sustainable ways.

A practical starting point for first-time RAP development

For schools and early learning services creating a RAP for the first time, the Developing a Narragunnawali RAP workshop offers a clear step-by-step pathway through the process.

Narragunnawali workshop provides a guided walkthrough of RAP development, from drafting through to publication, and is designed for those contributing to the RAP development process within their school or service. 

Participants explore how to:

• navigate the Narragunnawali platform
• understand the RAP framework and lifecycle
• identify the steps involved in drafting a RAP
• access tools and resources to support implementation.

For many services, this can help transform good intentions into a clear and achievable action plan.

Supporting continuous improvement through RAP refresh workshops

Reconciliation is not a one-off initiative. It is an ongoing process of reflection, learning and action.

Narragunnawali’s Refreshing a RAP workshop supports services undertaking their annual RAP review by guiding participants through the refresh process.

Narragunnawali notes the workshop helps participants understand the expectations and steps involved in reviewing and renewing their RAP commitments. 

This can help services:

• assess progress
• identify new priorities
• strengthen accountability
• ensure their RAP remains current and meaningful.

Professional learning that builds confidence and connection

Narragunnawali workshops are designed as interactive online sessions, encouraging reflection, discussion and shared learning.

This format allows participants to:

• connect with colleagues across the sector
• share experiences and challenges
• learn from diverse perspectives
• build confidence in reconciliation practice.

For educators and leaders, this can be especially valuable when navigating complex or evolving areas of cultural capability.

Reconciliation as core professional practice

Narragunnawali workshops are also recognised as professional learning aligned to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, including:

• Standard 4: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
• Standard 6: Engage in professional learning
• Standard 7: Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community. 

This reinforces that reconciliation is not an optional add-on, but an important part of contemporary professional practice across education and care settings.

A broader offering for system leaders

For those working across departments, peak bodies or sector organisations, Narragunnawali also offers Learn and Connect, a workshop designed to build reconciliation capability at a systems level.

The program provides participants with an overview of Narragunnawali’s goals and supports alignment between reconciliation initiatives and broader strategic priorities. It also includes follow-up sessions where participants can share progress, discuss challenges and exchange ideas. 

Why this matters for the ECEC sector

For early childhood education and care services, culturally safe and respectful practice is increasingly recognised as central to quality outcomes, family engagement and community trust.

Workshops such as these can help services move beyond symbolic gestures and towards embedded, relationship-based reconciliation practice.

That may include:

• meaningful acknowledgement of Country
• respectful partnerships with local First Nations communities
• authentic inclusion of First Nations perspectives in curriculum
• reflective leadership and governance
• stronger belonging outcomes for children and families.

Turning intention into action

Reconciliation is strengthened through informed, consistent and respectful action.

Narragunnawali’s workshops offer schools and early learning services a practical pathway to build that capability, supported by structure, guidance and shared learning.

As expectations around inclusion, cultural safety and meaningful engagement continue to grow, programs that help educators turn intention into practice are likely to remain an important part of the sector’s future.