Who was involved?

Participating schools
Nine schools were selected to participate in the AGQTP Literacy in Aboriginal Languages project. The schools covered four different language groups across NSW. The schools and their language group were:

Albert Park Public School (Bundjalung)
Boggabilla Central school (Gamilaraay)
Bonalbo Central School (Bundjalung)
Coonabarabran High School (Gamilaraay)
Goonellabah Public School (Bundjalung)
Green Hill Public School (Thunghutti/Dunghutti)
Lismore Public School (Bundjalung)
Nambucca Heads High School (Gumbayngirr)
Toomelah Public School (Gamilaraay).

School-based writing teams
Each school established a writing team, comprising, for example, a coordinator, Aboriginal language tutor/s, Aboriginal Elders, representatives from the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), Aboriginal Student Support Parental Awareness (ASSPA) committees and other key agencies.

The roles of the writing teams members were:
The coordinator (qualified teacher) was responsible for:
facilitating adequate community consultation
maintaining clear communication
overseeing the writing process
reporting progress to the AGQTP Project Officer and the School Principal.

The Aboriginal language teacher/tutor was responsible for:
liaising with the coordinator, Aboriginal Elders, the AECG, ASSPA and community members
contributing to the development of the sample unit/s of work.

Other writing team members were responsible for:
providing input and feedback as appropriate, for example, curriculum content and local perspectives.

Community
The development of Aboriginal language programs in NSW schools is different to that for other language programs. Aboriginal communities have ownership of Aboriginal languages and associated teaching programs. Consultation with the Aboriginal community and Elders is an essential part of the planning and implementation of Aboriginal languages programs. Decisions affecting the use of the language must be made with consultation and approval by the custodians of the language. Ensuring the language is controlled and delivered locally to children ensures its maintenance for future generations. Positive and constructive collaboration between the school and local Aboriginal community was a key contributor to the success of this project.

Endorsement by the local/regional Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and school Aboriginal Student Support Parental Awareness (ASSPA) Committees was a key requirement of the project. This type of consultation with Aboriginal communities ensured protocols were followed and supports the commitment to partnership between the NSW Department of Education and Training and The NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.

Working party and steering committee
To ensure the AGQTP Literacy in Aboriginal Languages project was a success and proceeded within guidelines, a working party and a steering committee were established. The working party and steering committee were supported by a Project Officer from the Languages Unit, elders and custodians of language, Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) representatives, and representatives of other key agencies and community.

The working party provided support and guidance, and monitored the running of the project. The Steering Committee comprised representatives of the working party (NSW Department of Education and Training) and other key agencies, including the NSW Board of Studies, The NSW AECG and the NSW Aboriginal Languages Research and Resource Centre (ALRRC).

These groups brought together expertise in the areas of curriculum, Aboriginal programs and languages. They provided high level consultation with identified stakeholders and ensured that the project proceeded in directions that would achieve broad acceptance.

The roles of the two groups were to:

maintain communication
maintain consultation processes
review progress
guide/manage project development and timeline
develop recommendations
provide a forum for discussion
bring together expertise
provide feedback
monitor quality and manage risk.

The members of the working party were:

Connie Ah See Aboriginal Studies Team
Louise Bye Aboriginal Programs Unit
Janine French AGQTP Project Officer
David Jaffray Languages Unit
Heather McGregor Aboriginal Programs Unit
Sandra Naden Aboriginal Programs Unit
Bob Percival Aboriginal Studies Team.

The following people also provided advice to the working party:
Nina Conomos - Languages Unit
Susi Steigler-Peters - Languages Unit
Karen White - Languages Unit
Helene Bartleson - Teacher, NSW DET

The steering committee was made up of the working party along with the following additional members:
Aunty Beryl Carmichael Elder - Broken Hill District
Charles Davison NSW AECG
Kevin Lowe NSW Board of Studies
Jaky Troy NSW ALRRC.

Schools – teachers and other staff
The support by staff at all levels in a school is pivotal in developing and implementing an Aboriginal language program. Teachers have to be proactive to ensure community participation in establishing a program and also in maintaining the learning of the language for all Aboriginal students into the future.

The classroom teacher has a crucial and responsible role and is key to establishing a two-way teaching and learning process with the Aboriginal language teacher/tutor. The sharing of knowledge by both parties is acknowledged and be applauded with respect. The classroom teacher has the ultimate responsibility and duty of care in regards to teaching, learning and assessment in their classes. It is critical for the classroom teacher to have a genuine commitment to the learning and teaching of Aboriginal languages to achieve success.

The support of the Aboriginal Education Assistant (AEA) and other Aboriginal staff within the school is important in maintaining links within the school and wider community.

Involvement of regional office staff, including the Consultant-Aboriginal Education (CAE) and Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (ACLO), is important in providing support and promoting Aboriginal languages. These people are crucial in spreading awareness and need for more Aboriginal language programs in schools to educate students and the broader communities.

Acknowledgements
The AGQTP Literacy in Aboriginal Languages project team and participating schools would like to acknowledge the following groups for their contributions. Without the support and hard work of all of these people, the project would not have achieved the success it has.

Albert Park Public School, Boggabilla Central School , Bonalbo Central School, Coonabarabran High School, Goonellabah Public School, Green Hill Public School, Lismore Public School, Nambucca Heads High School, Toomelah Public School, Working Party and Steering Committee Members, AGQTP Team and School Education Area office staff.

Participating schools and the project team would especially like to acknowledge the following:

Albert Park Public School: Hazel Rhodes, Sheron Smith, Bertha Kapeen, David Bartholomaeus, Lillian King, Albert Park Public School Bundjalung language program students.
Boggabilla Central School: Bernadette Duncan, Daphne Jarrett, Jo Thompson, Greg Simmonds.
Bonalbo Central School: Unlce Eric Walker, Kevin Walker, Stephen Walker, Debra Cleary, Sharon Tucker, Darren Brampton.
Coonabarabran High School: Suellyn Tighe, Steve Annis, Peter Thompson, Will Robinson, Maureen Fulter, Syd Chatfield.
Goonellabah Public School: Dyonne Anderson, Michelle Torrens, Terry Walker, Ricky Cook, Kay Collier, Deborah Reid, Goonellabah Public School Bundjalung Language Program Students
Green Hill Public School: Aunty Esther Quinlin, Uncle George Quinlin, Caroline Bradshaw, Luke Somerville, Bellbrook Elders, Elders Council of Kempsey,‘Aunty’ Cecilia Flanders, Members of the Green Hill Writing Team.
Lismore Public School: Hazel Rhodes, Debra Rhodes, Elizabeth Short.
Nambucca Heads High School: Clarrie Hoskins, Gary Cattanach, Sharon Smith, Michael Jarrett, Felicia Jarrett,
Toomelah Public School: Bernadette Duncan, Daphne Jarrett, Sharlene Deamer, Ron Ritchie.
Working Party and Steering Committee Members: Janine French, Connie Ah See, Louise Bye, Sandra Naden, Bob Percival, Heather McGregor, David Jaffray, Karen White, Susi Steigler-Peters, Jaky Troy, Kevin Lowe, Charles Davison, Aunty Beryl Carmichael.
AGQTP Team: Frances Plummer, Rod McLeod, Phillip Chan.
Aboriginal Programs Unit: Lynnette Riley-Mundine.
Others: Enri Parolin, Amanda Davis.