Supporting Transitions Through Schooling and Cultural Identity
The NSW Department of Education is committed to ensuring every Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student and learner is known, valued, and cared for throughout their education journey. In 2024 and 2025 the My Future, My Culture, My Way campaign focuses on supporting students during key transition points, such as starting kindergarten, moving through high school, and preparing for post-school pathways.
By fostering strong cultural connections, community involvement, and tailored support, we aim to empower students to successfully navigate these transitions with confidence and pride in their Culture.
Key Transition Points
High quality early childhood education and care gives children the best start in life. It provides important opportunities to learn and develop. Early childhood education and care can help your child make friends, develop independence and learn new routines. It also supports their transition to school. Parents and families are essential partners in education and are recognised as a child’s first teacher.
Resources:
Starting school is an exciting step! For young learners, the transition from preschool to kindergarten is full of new experiences. Parents, carers, families and community, play a vital role in preparing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children for school. Their active involvement and engagement in the process help children feel secure and valued. By working together, we can build confidence, independence, and a strong sense of cultural identity that will carry learners through their educational journey.
Resources:
- Early childhood education (nsw.gov.au)
- Resources for families (nsw.gov.au)
- Information for parents and carers | NSW Government
- When to talk to your local school (nsw.gov.au)
- Primary school (nsw.gov.au)
- Settling into Kindy - tips for parents (nsw.gov.au)
- Useful tips and activities in the lead-up to Kindergarten (nsw.gov.au)
- Starting School Guide 2024 - Primary School (nsw.gov.au)
- Getting ready for primary school (nsw.gov.au)
- School transitions (nsw.gov.au)
Transition to High School
Starting high school is a big step for any child. For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, maintaining strong cultural connections during this transition is key. Year 7 offers a wider curriculum, new friendships, and exciting opportunities. Schools and teachers are there to support students and families every step of the way. Families can help ease their children's transition into high school by actively engaging with their child's high school journey. Learn how you can become involved in the school and regularly ask your child what they need to succeed at school. It is important to ensure they are well-prepared, supported, and confident as they embark on this new chapter of their education.
Resources:
- Transition to high school (nsw.gov.au)
- High school (nsw.gov.au)
- Getting ready for high school (nsw.gov.au)
- Expert tips for parents of students starting high school (nsw.gov.au)
- 5 things parents can do to make school transitions easier (nsw.gov.au)
- What will change at secondary school (nsw.gov.au)
- How to be organised (nsw.gov.au)
Middle years are pivotal, especially for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. Subject selection in Years 9 and 10 builds the foundation for future pathways, whether students aspire to an ATAR, HSC completion, or vocational studies. Families are encouraged to engage with teachers, school support staff, and community members to help students make informed choices that reflect their strengths and aspirations.
Resources:
Completing the HSC and high school is a significant achievement, but it’s just the beginning! Whether students are considering university, TAFE, apprenticeships, or other vocational training, there are numerous pathways to explore. Maintaining a strong connection to culture while navigating these options is important for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. Schools provide career advisors and culturally supportive resources to guide students towards their future aspirations.
Resources:
- Post-school options
- What is the Universities Admissions Centre? (nsw.gov.au)
- After school pathways (nsw.gov.au)
- Helping your teen cope with change (nsw.gov.au)
- Vocational Education and Training courses (nsw.gov.au)
- Supporting your teenager to figure out what they want to do (nsw.gov.au)
- School leaving age (nsw.gov.au)
- Leaving school after Year 12 (nsw.gov.au)
- ATAR changes – student information (nsw.gov.au)
- Labour Market Insights | Jobs and Skills Australia
- Subject Compass (uac.edu.au)
- Key dates for applying to tertiary and VET providers (nsw.gov.au)
For students entering the workforce after completing the HSC or finishing high school, there are many opportunities available. Encouragement from families, teachers and community, helps students explore different career paths, create strong resumes, and develop resilience. This will empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to confidently transition into employment and pursue careers that align with their strengths and cultural identity.
Resources:
Who to see for support
Navigating transitions can be challenging, but you’re not alone. Below is a list of people within the school community who can provide guidance and support to you and your child during these important transitions.
The transition from preschool to kindergarten is an important step, you can rely on the following support people:
- Early childhood educator
- Preschool Director
- School Learning Support Officer
- School Administration Officer
- Teachers
- School Principal
- Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO)
- Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. (AECG)
- School Counsellor
- Aboriginal Education Strategic Delivery Advisor/Officer
Throughout your child’s high school journey, from Year 6 to the completion of Year 12, these key people can provide support:
- School Principal
- Deputy Principals
- Year Advisors
- Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO)
- School Learning Support Officers
- Career Advisor
- Teachers
- School Counsellor
- Community Elders
- School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Engagement Officer
Celebrating Success
At every stage of learning, it’s important to celebrate student achievements. By embracing their cultural identity, connecting with community, and exploring the many pathways ahead, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students can approach their future with confidence and pride.
Celebrating success can happen at home, at school and in community. Events such as the Nanga Mai Awards are wonderful opportunities to highlight and acknowledge student success at school and in their community. Ways to celebrate success should be guided by students, families and community.
These inspiring stories from schools across NSW showcase successful transition experiences that highlight the importance of culture, community, and support.
Each of these videos shows the power of culturally inclusive and supportive environments, demonstrating the positive impact they have on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students' wellbeing and overall transition success:
- Lake Illawarra High School: “I feel proud of my Culture. There’s a lot of ways we celebrate Culture”.
In this video, students from Lake Illawarra High School talk about the pride they feel in their culture and how it plays a key role in their education. This case study demonstrates how cultural identity empowers Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students through the high school transition. - Coonamble Public School: “When students have a strong sense of cultural identity- they feel empowered, resilient, supported... When kids build those connections and relationships it makes them feel more supported by each other that will transition into high school”.
Students and teachers share how a strong sense of cultural identity creates a safe space for learning. The video highlights the support networks within the school that help Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students feel empowered and supported as they transition to high school. - Eungai Public School: “I share my culture with younger students so they can take care of nature and learn our language”.
This case study focuses on the partnerships formed between preschools and their local primary schools to ensure positive transitions for kindergarten students. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students talk about how their older peers share cultural knowledge, helping them feel connected and ready for school.
Key Transition Resources for Teachers and School Support Staff
Teachers play a pivotal role in guiding students through key transitions in their educational journey. To support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in their transitions, teachers can access a range of resources, case studies, and culturally responsive teaching materials.
As students transition to kindergarten, teachers should focus on creating a welcoming and culturally safe environment. Building positive relationships with students and their families will help ensure that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students feel known, valued, and cared for. Teachers can also support students by encouraging discussions about their goals and aspirations through Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs), helping them envision a bright future from the very start of their schooling journey.
Resources:
- Beginning school strong and successfully (nsw.gov.au)
- Transition to primary school (nsw.gov.au)
- Strategies for daily transitions (nsw.gov.au)
- Transition to school: case studies (nsw.gov.au)
- Transition to school (nsw.gov.au)
- Starting school safely- road safety
- School stories (nsw.gov.au)
- Personalised Learning Pathways Guidelines and Self-reflection
- EAL/D learners
The move to high school is an important milestone that can be both exciting and challenging. Teachers should focus on fostering a sense of belonging by connecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to school communities and encouraging cultural identity.
Resources:
- Personalised Learning Pathways Guidelines and Self-reflection (nsw.gov.au)
- Transition to secondary school (nsw.gov.au)
- What will change at secondary school (nsw.gov.au)
- Starting_High_School_Safely_-_Year_7_road_safety_presentation.pptx (live.com)
- Transition to high school – illustrations of practice (nsw.gov.au)
During middle years transitions, subject selection and future planning become key areas of focus. Teachers should work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to explore options that align with their interests and strengths, while maintaining their connection to Culture.
Resources:
The transition from high school to further study or employment is a significant step. Teachers should ensure that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students are supported and have access to culturally supportive programs and practical career guidance.
Resources:
- Post-school options (nsw.gov.au)
- Post-school transition (nsw.gov.au)
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and educational intentions - Insights from the literature (nsw.gov.au)
- Blank CR template portrait - Term 4 2022 (nsw.gov.au)
- Post School Pathways Fact Sheet Aboriginal Youth (nsw.gov.au)
- Djinggi Grant, previoulsy Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant (nsw.gov.au)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (nsw.gov.au)
- Sample IPM- Career Education
- Sample IPM- Pathways diversity
- Case study- Strengthening School and Industry Engagement
- Post-school options (nsw.gov.au)
- Post-school transition (nsw.gov.au)
- https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/aec/universal-resources---aboriginal-education/post-school-pathways-factsheet---aboriginal-youth
- Pathways illustrations of practice (nsw.gov.au)
- Introduction to Senior secondary pathways
- Student_Pathways_Survey_and_Plan_-_Summary_and_Reflection_Guide_Pack.pdf (nsw.gov.au)
- Pathways data insights guide
- NAIDOC Week 2024
- Launch your Career