Stan Grant

We're meeting today on the lands of the Darug people of the Eora Nation. I wanna pay my respects to their elders past, present, and emerging. This is, was and always will be Aboriginal land.

How racism presents itself in the education system? How it can often grow, breed in the school? What role do teachers play?

Patti Kearns

What you say, what you don't say, what you listen to, what you prioritise.

Murat Dizdar

We know that we've got a long way to go for 823,000 young learners

[Where are we now?]

Jaida Conway

I think Australia thinks we're not racist. We really, we are. We come from colonisation and genocide, there's no way we couldn't be racist, our systems are built off that. It's not really always individual, it’s systematic, and I think that's the biggest issue.

Luiza Dorfman Knijnik

I think without these conversations, you kind of create like a landscape where everything's good, everything's perfect and you don't address the underlying issue.

Harry Jun

People are more upset at being accused of racism, than the racism itself.

Murat Dizdar

You know, public schools are more than the basics. They're about holistically developing children.

Luiza Dorfman Knijnik

For example, when we came here, we didn't know anything about the history of this country.

Stan Grant

I remember sitting in a bath when I was a boy and trying to rub the colour off my skin.

Muhammad Tekin

I was speechless, because I never expect them to, like, have this sort of question to me. Is it because I'm a Muslim student?

[How can we do better?]

Harry Jun

Anti-racism is like everyone's job, it's in the policy.

Luiza Dorfman Knijnik

You need to listen to students. If they're complaining about a joke. If you think that's harmless, it's not harmless to them.

Patti Kearns

Where they'd come through the door, is when they felt that they had been the victim of racism and the teacher hadn't called it out.

Jaida Conway

I think Aboriginal people are just not valued. I think that's where it goes back to our experiences aren't valued, our stories aren't valued, our histories aren't valued, our culture just isn't valued.

Murat Dizdar

I've seen policies in my time, Stan, but this is not one that we're looking for compliance and tick a box.

Patti Kearns

I'd like to give a message to the teachers, how many teachers have we got?

Murat Dizdar

74,000.

Patti Kearns

74,000.

Stan Grant

They're all watching us.

Patti Kearns

If each one of them is making a difference, we make a big collective difference.

[End of transcript]

NR30069 (30 minutes mandatory training)

The Anti-Racism Policy Training course aims to increase staff understanding of the nature and impact of racism, familiarise staff with the revised Anti-Racism Policy and increase staff understanding of their responsibilities in implementing the policy. This course is mandatory for all staff from Term 2, 2022 and is available via MyPL. A refresher course is in development.

NRG32653 (80 minutes NESA elective)

This professional learning aims to deepen understandings of the impact of racism and to challenge racism in a safe, positive and constructive way. It includes a 40 minute video and reflection questions to be considered individually, in small groups or as a whole school staff.

Candid and constructive conversations about racism are sometimes confronting because they may bring up individual experiences of racism or challenge our core beliefs, values and perceptions regarding race and cultural diversity. Care needs to be taken to ensure discussions are conducted sensitively and with respect for everyone involved. This resource and facilitator guide are available via MyPL.

AC00157 (4 hours NESA accredited)

This is a self-paced, 4 hour online training course supported by the participant’s supervisor. The professional learning in this course will support participants to develop and implement strategies and practices to implement culturally inclusive teaching and learning. Enrolment is via MyPL.

AC00324 (3.5 hours NESA accredited)

Facing up to Racism is a self-paced professional learning course that deepens awareness of racism and how it manifests and operates. It also explores ways to challenge bias, stereotypes, and racism and develop an anti-racist stance to combat the impact of racism on student wellbeing and learning outcomes.

This course is aimed at developing confidence of staff to identify, understand, discuss and challenge racism in a constructive way. It is available via MyPL.

This resource is designed to provide teachers and other school staff with a range of practical strategies to assist in the process of engaging migrant and refugee families and creating a culturally inclusive school environment. Available for self-paced learning via the OLT website.

AC00089 (10 hours NESA accredited)

This course is for nominated Anti-Racism Contact Officers (ARCO) and executive staff to further develop the skills and knowledge required for the ARCO role including; understanding the dimensions of racism and detrimental effects of racism and racial discrimination in the school context. Participants will also explore legislation and department policies and build skills so that they become confident ARCOs. Courses run every term for six weeks and enrolment is via MyPL. A refresher course for experienced ARCOs is in development.

NR22695 (10 hours NESA elective)

The ARiA program aims to raise teacher confidence to discuss and address racism as well as support student confidence in taking upstander responses. It has two major components: teacher professional learning co-designed by NSW Department of Education and Western Sydney University and delivery of an 8-lesson sequence aligned to the Stage 3 PDHPE curriculum. Contact antiracismeducation@det.nsw.edu.au to enquire about sessions.

AC00401 (2.5 hours NESA accredited)

This course builds on staff understanding and skills to identify racism, its prevalence and impact on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. It assists staff to plan for and implement strategies that address racism to improve educational outcomes and contribute to the development of a more equitable and socially cohesive society.

This course is designed to be facilitated in a whole school face-to-face setting to promote discussion and an exchange of ideas. It is best delivered by the principal, supported by the school’s Anti-Racism Contact Officer (ARCO) and/or member/s of the local Aboriginal community and/or local NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. (AECG). A facilitator guide is available via MyPL.

Creating racism free schools is a 1 hour professional learning module to deliver to staff including a recorded webinar, facilitator's guide, and additional resources. The professional learning:

• deepens understandings of the impact of racism on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• allows staff to engage in meaningful discussions on ways to challenge racism and build culturally safe environments for students, staff and communities.