Parents & Carers

Supplied by the NSW Department of Education

My Future, My Culture, My Way is a NSW educational campaign to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to achieve their Higher School Certificate (HSC).

Studies show a clear link between completing the HSC and positive future employment, health and higher educational outcomes.

Achieving the HSC gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students equality in opportunity now and in later life. Students who get an HSC are more likely to have sustainable jobs than students who leave school early. If they use their HSC to do an apprenticeship or go to TAFE or university, they’re likely to have even better opportunities. They will also be a role model for other Aboriginal children and families in their community.

The My Future, My Culture, My Way initiative was co-designed by the NSW Department of Education, NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations and the Premier’s Implementation Unit. It recognises that the HSC journey can be especially challenging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and that specific support and staying connected to culture is important to help them to reach their full potential.

The campaign also recognises that Aboriginal communities have an important role to play by involving students with their language and culture to help maintain cultural identity, and providing academic support and encouraging them on their journey to the HSC.

Fostering cultural understanding and a sense of belonging to school and community, community engagement, and tailored support for Aboriginal students as they shift from early childhood education through to the senior years of high school are pillars of the My Future, My Culture, My Way framework that empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to thrive academically and personally. This holistic approach not only benefits individual students but also enriches the entire school community.

The My Future, My Culture, My Way campaign aims to:

• Engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in the benefits of completing the HSC and support their continued motivation.
• Provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents, carers, families and community with information and resources to improve their awareness of the importance of HSC attainment and how to support students through school.
• Enable education sector staff to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families in culturally safe ways.

Supporting transitions

It’s critical to actively engage, support, and connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to their school community and their studies as they transition from early childhood education to primary, then to high school, and through to the senior years, to foster well-prepared students for the HSC and for life after school.

The My Future, My Culture, My Way initiative recognises the significance of these transitions, providing resources and guidance for schools, students and their parents and families to help navigate these phases.

Boambee Public School strategies

Boambee Public School, on the NSW North Coast, has implemented successful transition strategies to ensure its Aboriginal students and families feel connected and supported, thereby laying a groundwork for continued educational engagement.

The school has 429 students enrolled, of whom 12% are Aboriginal and 6% are from a language background other than English. About 95% of children start Kindergarten at Boambee Public School having attended an early childhood education (ECE) service.

Boambee Public School’s transition to school strategies for all students include: allocating time for children and their families to visit early childhood education services; short, regular orientation visits; fostering a sense of belonging among children and families; involving students across different year groups in the transition process; and implementing a personalised approach for students with additional needs.

As students progress to secondary education, support systems across all NSW public schools evolve to address the challenges and decisions that shape post-school futures. Collaborative efforts across government and communities aim to bolster Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ journey toward HSC attainment, emphasising cultural identity.

The importance of belonging

A sense of belonging to school and culture is essential for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ wellbeing and academic success.

Tessa Honer, a Wiradjuri woman who attended Engadine High School, completed a School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) at Taronga Zoo Sydney in 2023. Her story is just one of many featured as part of the My Future, My Culture, My Way campaign, showcasing the achievements of Aboriginal students throughout NSW and the importance of support from their schools and a strong connection to their Aboriginal culture and communities.

“There was one teacher, Miss Miller, who was the main source of support when I started school,” Tessa explains.

“She was always there and checking in and asking me to participate in cultural activities, workshops and excursions. My parents have always been very supportive of my goals and education. Having extra support within the school has helped them feel more at ease with my future and my success.”

Connecting with community

 The active involvement of parents, carers, and educators is vital in nurturing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ educational journeys. Community Connectors like Robbie Townsend exemplify the critical role of community engagement, offering personalised support and fostering relationships that enhance student attendance and participation.

Robbie is a Djiringanj, Ngarigo and Jerringa man with strong links to the Snowy Mountains, Nowra and Bega areas.

“As a Community Connector, I work predominantly at Bega, Narooma and Eden Marine High Schools, I’ve also worked as the Aboriginal Education Officer at Bega High School,” Robbie said.

“My current role involves getting to know the local students and their families really well, which has been easy because I have those established connections in the area. It’s all about getting to know the students as individuals, asking families what they need and trying to knock down some of those barriers to attendance. If kids aren’t coming to school, I’ll jump on the phone with parents to see what’s going on. Hearing that another Koori voice cares about them, that’s incredibly meaningful.

“Those final years [of school] can be hard. Some [Aboriginal students] don’t have that really strong support network outside school, so if I can somehow help them to get through and keep them engaged with the cultural programs, they’ll be feeling healthy and strong and ready to tackle any challenges,” Robbie said.

“Getting an HSC opens so many doors, even for those that scrape through, it definitely helps in the long run.”

Gorokan High’s culture program

On the NSW Central Coast, Gorokan High School’s Local Aboriginal Culture program demonstrates a profound commitment to integrating local Darkinjung culture into education, promoting awareness and appreciation among students. This initiative reflects a broader goal to embed Aboriginal perspectives within the curriculum, fostering respect and understanding for Aboriginal knowledge and practices.

This program enables Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal students to explore Aboriginal culture and knowledge that existed before European settlement and the importance of this continuing and thriving now and in the future. The richness of Aboriginal culture is integrated throughout the curriculum. Students learn the significance of spiritual connectedness and of Aboriginal ways of knowing and how these are ingrained in the local Country. All students develop an appreciation and acceptance of Darkinjung culture and language and value how Darkinjung people express through dance, storytelling, song, artworks and engravings.

Speaking about the program, one Gorokan High student said: “I believe this class has changed my outlook on life. It has educated me, to teach me what has happened in the past. And like any good mind knows, those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”

A vision for NSW public schools

The NSW Department of Education’s Our Plan for NSW Public Education is committed to advancing reconciliation and inclusivity and focusing on tailored, informed approaches that incorporate diverse perspectives into policymaking. Integrating Aboriginal education into that plan supports the department’s goal of attaining equitable education outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and preparing the next generation for success.

Resources and information

For more details on supporting Aboriginal students’ educational pathways, including resources and guidance for parents and carers, students, school staff and stakeholders, visit My Future, My Culture, My Way or connect with the NSW Department of Education’s resources.