Aboriginal learner achievement

My name is Amy Bonney and I’m the Aboriginal Community Education Officer (ACEO).

I’m of Aboriginal descent and my family comes from the Narungga tribe (from Point Pearce) and the Boandik tribe (from the south-east of South Australia).

I’ve been working as an ACEO for 14 years. I absolutely love the work that I do. I strive for the very best outcomes for all our Aboriginal students. The Aboriginal Education Teacher (AET) supports me in my role.

​My ACEO role focuses on the following areas:

 

Attendance, engagement and wellbeing

  • I work with our students and families in conjunction with the school to construct different strategies to improve students’ attendance and to celebrate their success.
  • I work with the AET to support teachers with the documentation and ongoing review of One Plans. Every Aboriginal student has a One Plan and these plans are reviewed each semester.
  • I work with our Aboriginal students to support them with their learning and/or act as a mentor. The support provided is based on individual needs. I also work with students on various cultural activities.
  • I organise for all our Aboriginal students to have their hearing and sight assessed. I can also link families with local Aboriginal Health Services.

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Cultural awareness

  • Nunga Kids Group is held fortnightly. This group gives our Aboriginal students an opportunity to build a sense of belonging, identity and to develop relationships. Articles about the Nunga group are completed by our students and included in the EPPS School Newsletter.
  • Each year I organise whole school cultural events for Reconciliation Week to raise cultural awareness in the school community.

Parent/community engagement
  • East Para Primary School values the importance of working alongside and developing relationships with Aboriginal families to build a culturally inclusive community.We understand the critical role parents and families play in contributing to their children’s education and cultural identity. I encourage Aboriginal parents and carers to be active participants in their child’s education by attending their child(ren)’s One Plan meetings, parent teacher interviews, family gatherings and school events that include their child.
  • I make and sustain positive relationships with Aboriginal families and parents of Aboriginal students by holding gatherings where parents and carers are invited to attend or be involved, making regular phone calls, catching up in the yard before and after school. I send home regular letters and my Nunga Newsletter which is sent home each term.

Other resources

Aboriginal Education Strategy

Download our Aboriginal Education Strategy from the Department for Education website.