Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in the Curriculum Professional Development Day - Primary

Join us on January 23, 2026, for a full-day immersive professional development experience designed specifically for Primary School Teachers.

This engaging and content-rich day will centre on embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in the classroom. Together, we will explore what it means to be a Culturally Responsive Teacher, with three focus areas:

• Integrating Aboriginal perspectives in STEM

• Understanding Torres Strait Islander culture and identity

• Applying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pedagogies.

Participants will receive a Goody Bag filled with educational resources created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators—ideal for extending your learning and bringing meaningful content back to your classroom.

This event is a unique collaboration between three Indigenous-owned businesses: Riley Callie Resources, Freshwater Education, and Zeyawgub Consultancy. It offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from knowledgeable speakers representing both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

What’s Included:

Enjoy a full day of professional learning featuring three immersive and practical sessions:

1. Cultural Responsiveness in Today’s Classroom

In an increasingly diverse Australian society, cultural responsiveness is not just a teaching strategy—it is a professional responsibility. This session delves into what it means to be a culturally responsive educator. Participants will explore how their own cultural lens influences their teaching, and how to reflect critically and constructively on their practice.

Key areas include:

• Understanding cultural identity—yours and your students’

• Building safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environments

• Recognising and challenging bias, stereotypes, and assumptions

• Embedding cultural perspectives across the curriculum

• Meeting the needs of learners from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Through discussion, reflection, and real-life examples, this session equips educators with practical strategies to ensure every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed.

2. Aboriginal Perspectives in STEM

Join Belinda Huntriss—a proud Worimi woman, teacher, and educational consultant—for an engaging session on bringing Aboriginal knowledge systems into your STEM teaching. Aboriginal peoples have been scientists, engineers, and environmental stewards for tens of thousands of years. Yet, these deep knowledges are often absent from mainstream STEM education.

This session will:

• Provide foundational knowledge of Aboriginal worldviews and their relevance to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

• Explore key concepts such as land-based knowledge, sustainability, observation, pattern recognition, and innovation from Aboriginal perspectives

• Demonstrate how to respectfully integrate Indigenous content into STEM units, in ways that are age-appropriate and curriculum-aligned

• Offer simple, accessible entry points for teachers wondering, “Where do I start?”

Whether you're a classroom teacher, curriculum planner, or school leader, this session offers clarity, confidence, and culturally rich tools to strengthen your STEM teaching.

3. Torres Strait Islander Culture & Identity

Led by Deborah Belyea—a proud Torres Strait Islander woman and experienced educator—this session offers a rare opportunity to explore the unique histories, cultures, and contemporary realities of Torres Strait Islander peoples. While often grouped together under the broader "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander" label, Torres Strait Islander cultures have distinct languages, traditions, and ways of knowing that deserve deeper understanding and visibility in Australian education.

In this session, participants will:

• Build a foundational understanding of Torres Strait Islander identity, including geographical, cultural, and linguistic diversity

• Examine key aspects of Islander history, including pre-colonial life, resistance, and ongoing contributions to Australian society

• Learn about culturally responsive pedagogical practices rooted in Torres Strait Islander ways of learning and relating

• Reflect on how to meaningfully include Torres Strait Islander perspectives in curriculum, assessment, and school culture

This is a vital session for educators committed to truth-telling, reconciliation, and inclusive teaching that honours the depth and diversity of Australia’s First Nations peoples.

Extras Included:

• Morning tea and lunch

• Tea and coffee throughout the day

• A Goody Bag filled with high-quality Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educational resources to support continued learning and classroom use.