Our Reconciliation Action Plan

The history of a country is the history of all the peoples in that country. The traditions of a country are the sum of the traditions of all people in that country. Respect is due to all of them

The Seaforth Kindergarten has a long-standing Multicultural and Anti-Bias Policy, which starts from a recognition of and appreciation for the cultural backgrounds of the children in our Kindergarten, taking every individual’s values, beliefs and ideas into account when planning for each day. 

Through taking a global approach to humanity, focusing on the similarities between people, not the difference between cultures. Constantly re-evaluating our approach, to ensure that no tokenism or superior attitude is being portrayed in the teachings of our multicultural programme. 

The Social Justice Programme, implemented in 2010, asks the children to investigate social interactions, to bring awareness and understanding of peer relationships and community values. The programme fosters respect, fairness, understanding of cultural diversity, appropriate and acceptable social behaviours. This programme is now a permanent part of the learning environment in our centre.

This philosophy underpins our Reconciliation Action Plan. The history and traditions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are an integral and fundamental part of the history and traditions of the whole Australian community, and are fundamental to the life of The Seaforth Kindergarten. Every activity is mirrored with reference to the traditions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: painting activities look at abstract European art and the figurative work and dot-painting of traditions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; music activities will look at traditional songs, chants and instruments of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as songs and music from a European tradition. The Action Plan will focus on maintaining and broadening this approach.

Building of knowledge leads to understanding and respect; and that building process starts with the education of the teaching staff themselves and our extensive and ongoing training programme for them. The Action Plan will focus on further strengthening that programme.

We recognise also that the process of reconciliation does not exist as a theoretical exercise. So, our Action Plan for the next two years will focus on further bringing the history and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples fully to life through links to members of that community: actively offering places to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, creating links to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and organising visits from members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.