Dr Claire Golledge opening our Leadership Hub day
The gathering marked an important milestone for the CNS project, with partner schools coming together face-to-face for the first time since the program’s expansion across NSW and South Australia. Held under the theme Pathways to Culturally Nourishing Schooling, the symposium created space for schools to share their journeys, reflect on practice, and strengthen partnerships that continue to shape culturally nourishing learning environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Three days of learning, sharing and deepening practice
The symposium was designed as a layered and collaborative learning experience broken out into 3 days.
Day 1 – Cultural Leads Gathering
Aboriginal Education Officers and Cultural Leads from CNS schools met for dedicated sessions focused on cultural leadership, school–community relationships, and strengthening culturally grounded approaches to teaching and learning. These discussions highlighted the critical role Cultural Leads play in guiding school-wide change.
Day 2 – Leadership Hub
Principals, school leaders and Cultural Leads engaged in planning, reflection and strategic discussions about sustaining CNS in 2025 and beyond. Leadership teams explored the program’s professional learning cycles, shared successes and challenges, and identified priorities for the year ahead.
Day 3 – School Presentations
Schools showcased their CNS journeys for the year, sharing insights into relationship-building, professional learning, classroom practice and community partnerships. Presentations from both long-term CNS schools and schools preparing to enter the next phase of the program illustrated the depth and diversity of implementation across the NSW network.
Teachers and Aboriginal Education Officers from Lake Cargelligo Central School Presenting on day 3 of our Symposium.
Language Panel highlights the importance of community-led language work
A major highlight of the symposium was a Language Panel and workshop series delivered by Wiradjuri Knowledge Holders:
- Aunty Diane McNaboe, a Wiradjuri Elder and Knowledge Holder with more than 40 years’ experience teaching language, dance and cultural practices
- Aunty Marion Packham, a Wiradjuri language teacher, writer and program officer with the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation
- Uncle Geoff Anderson, a Wiradjuri language advocate and member of the Parkes AECG and Wiradjuri Council of Elders
Each facilitated hands-on workshops exploring the power of language in identity, belonging and community connection:
- Aunty Di shared classroom strategies through song and dance
- Aunty Marion guided teachers in “Engaging Language in Community,” offering practical insights into starting and sustaining community-led language programs
- Uncle Geoff shared Parkes’ journey of language revitalisation, emphasising intergenerational learning, scope and sequence design, and community networks
These sessions offered rich guidance as CNS continues to strengthen its focus on language, culture and Country in the next phase of program development.
NSW CNS Community Facilitator Kimm Naden with our language panelists.
Research insights shaping whole-school change
Across all three days, schools shared reflections that align with emerging findings from UNSW’s research:
- culturally grounded professional learning builds teacher confidence
- strong relationships with local Aboriginal communities support more meaningful educational experiences
- iterative, community-led learning cycles contribute to whole-school cultural change
- students benefit when schools embed language, culture and community voice throughout their teaching
This evidence continues to guide CNS’s approach to scaling and sustaining the program across partner schools.
Looking ahead: strengthening and sustaining CNS
Over the next two years, CNS will continue working with 15 schools across NSW and South Australia, focusing on:
- scaling culturally grounded professional learning
- deepening community-led approaches to language and culture
- strengthening school–community partnerships
- supporting schools to lead their own learning
- building sustainable pathways for teacher capability and student engagement
Further information about the next phase of CNS will be shared with schools and communities as the program continues to evolve. To learn more about the Culturally Nourishing Schooling project, visit our website or contact the CNS team at cns@unsw.edu.au.
