Teaching Truth-Telling in the Classroom: National Reconciliation Week 2024

In the lead up to National Reconciliation Week, we are hosting two free webinars for educators, workplaces and those curious to grow their understanding and explore our shared histories. 

Truth-Telling in the Classroom 
Wed, 8 May 
4.00pm AEST 

First Nations truth-telling can be a difficult subject to navigate in the classroom. As we approach National Reconciliation Week, this webinar will discuss the ways educators can take in beginning a process of truth-telling with students, colleagues and within their educational settings.

Speakers

• Jerome Holleman Head of Middle School, Northcote High School, Victoria
• Santino Merino Head of English, St. Philip's College, Northern Territory
• Alinta Williams First Nations Organiser, Australian Education Union, Victoria Branch

This webinar will be moderated by Megan Mundy, Children’s Ground Philanthropy and Government Relations Coordinator, and former science teacher and teacher coach.

Invite your colleagues and networks to join you in watching this after school webinar!
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This webinar is held in conjunction with Wear it Yellow. Wear it Yellow for Children's Ground this National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June 2024) and raise funds to support a bright future for First Nations children and families. Register now at wearityellow.org.au.

If you are in a position to do so, please support Children's Ground at childrensground.org.au/donate.

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Biographies

• Jerome Holleman
  Head of Middle School, Northcote High School
  Jerome is currently a leading teacher at Northcote High School as Head of Middle School. He teaches Humanities, specialising in History and Economics as well as English and English as an Additional Language. Over the last two years Jerome has created and taught a year 9&10 history elective called Indigenous Rights and Freedoms – a subject focussing on the historical fight for justice and equality for First Nations people in Australia. Since 2019 he has run the ‘Northern Territory Trip’ since 2019, a cultural immersion program for year 10 students to the remote community of Lilla near Kings Canyon. He has completed a Masters of Teaching in Restorative Practice and provides training to staff and students.

• Santino Merino
  Head of English, St. Philip's College, Mparntwe (Alice Springs)
  In 2012 Santino was the Shansi Fellow to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, teaching English as a Second Language at the University of Syiah Kuala. In 2015, he relocated to Melbourne where he worked as an ELICOS instructor at Monash College and RMIT English Worldwide. As the Head of English at St Philip’s College he focuses on embedding culturally responsive teaching and learning practices across the department, and integrating the latest edu-tech innovations into his own teaching. As a Cuban-American- Australian, Santino is attuned to unique challenges facing students from diverse backgrounds and is dedicated to creating an inclusive and safe classroom.

• Alinta Williams
  First Nations Organiser, Australian Education Union, Victoria Branch
  Alinta Williams is a Ngambri, Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri woman born in Sydney and raised in Queanbeyan and Canberra. She currently works as the First Nations Organiser at the Australian Education Union Victoria Branch and has over fifteen years’ experience as a primary school teacher. She has previously worked as a gallery educator and in curriculum development in the Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Alinta recently completed a Master of Education at the University of Melbourne, specialising in equity, diversity, and social change.

• Megan Mundy
  Children’s Ground Philanthropy and Government Relations Coordinator
  Megan is a former science teacher and teacher coach. With a passion for addressing educational disadvantage, she has 10 years’ experience in STEM engagement, leading the In2science peer mentoring program and as an Adviser in the Victorian Public Service. She currently works as Children’s Ground’s Philanthropy and Government Relations Coordinator.