Congratulations on winning the Narragunnawali Award! What does this recognition mean for Briar Road Public School and your community?

Winning the Narragunnawali Award is an incredible honour for Briar Road Public School and our community. It recognises the deep commitment the entire school have made not only to reconciliation in education, but to authentic relationships with our students, families, and wider community. For us, this award strengthens the belief that reconciliation is not a project or a program, it’s a way of being in and around our school every day. The award celebrates the years of work our staff, students, Elders and families have put into creating a culturally safe, inclusive and empowering environment for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students, families and staff. Most importantly, it reflects the pride our community feels in seeing culture, language and histories respected and embedded meaningfully across our proudly public school in all classes Preschool through to Year 6.

Can you share examples of how reconciliation is embedded in classrooms and across the school?

Reconciliation is woven into everyday learning and school life. In classrooms, teachers work closely with community to include local Aboriginal perspectives of the Dharawal in units of work, ensuring students learn about culture and Country in ways that are relevant and respectful. We regularly involve community, staff, Elders and cultural knowledge holders in learning opportunities, giving students opportunities to learn language, hear lived experiences and connect with cultural knowledge and practice.

Across the school, we lead with personalised Acknowledgements of Country written and spoken by students and staff. Our playground and learning spaces are culturally responsive and promote belonging and connection. Staff development is grounded in ongoing cultural competence training so that reconciliation isn’t just visible to students, but it is understood, modelled, and lived by the adults around them. These everyday practices help create an environment where Aboriginal people and cultures are valued and celebrated.

What’s next for Briar Road Public School on its reconciliation journey?

Our next steps are about deepening the foundations we’ve already built. We want to continue strengthening relationships with key partners to strengthen our work. We are expanding student leadership opportunities in reconciliation, giving young people a greater role in shaping initiatives and sharing culture with the broader community. We’re also working toward further integrating Dharawal language with our key partner Gujaga and ensuring that cultural perspectives are authentically embedded across all curriculum areas. Our goal is to keep growing as a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, community and culture is seen, respected and empowered. Bringing all students and community along on the journey will ensure we grow a school community that we can all be proud to call our own.

Pictured: Aboriginal Culture and Curriculum Teachers Jessica Scott and Jason Sampson with Principal Tammy Anderson from Briar Road Public School, and Simone Tregeagle from Teachers Health. Photo: Tom Hoy, Wirrim Media