2019 NSW Minister's and Secretary Awards for Excellence

Congratulations to UNSW School of Education and their primary school partners, Matraville Public School, Matraville Soldiers’ Settlement Public School, Chifley Public School and La Perouse Public School for the Culture, Community and Curriculum Project (CCCP) which was recognised at the recent 2019 NSW Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence.  At the awards ceremony held at Sydney Town Hall on the 27th August the CCCP received a Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative.  This award is presented to NSW public schools that demonstrate their commitment to teaching and learning outcomes, leadership, supporting the students and/or creating a sustainable learning environment via a discreet program, event or initiative.

The CCCP paired respected Aboriginal community members with teachers across four schools in the Little Bay community.  They collaborated to plan and provide engaging learning experiences that embedded authentic Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum.  Meaningful connections between the schools and the local Aboriginal community were made as they were equal decision makers in classroom activities and curriculum. The CCCP was coordinated through the UNSW School of Education (a team led by Chris Davison, with Greg Vass the lead researcher and team members including Katherine Thompson, Michelle Bishop and Richard Niesche) with the Eastern Suburbs AECG and the Little Bay Community of Schools as key partners. 

Sincere congratulations and thanks to the Eastern Suburbs AECG and Matraville Public School, Matraville Soldiers’ Settlement Public School, Chifley Public School and La Perouse Public School. Thanks also to the research team and to the Ian Potter Foundation who helped fund the project for the first three years. The project is to be extended for a further three years, with substantial philanthropic funding already secured thanks to the sterling efforts of our UNSW Development team, led by Ali Haigh and Angela Topping.  

The full awards program can be viewed here.