The Narragunnawali Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding work of Australian schools and early learning services in ‘strengthening reconciliation through relationships, building respect, and providing meaningful opportunities in the classroom, around the school or service, and within the community’.
An initiative of Reconciliation Australia, these national awards are held every 2 years. With applications currently open for 2025, we catch up with Kim Calabrese, Principal of Winterfold Primary School, Western Australia – winners of the 2023 Schools award.
Hi Kim, can you tell Teacher readers a little bit about Winterfold Primary School?
Winterfold Primary School is located in Beaconsfield, WA, on Whadjuk Noongar Country, near Fremantle. We have around 330 students, serving a diverse community that includes a small number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Our school is known for its inclusive environment and strong community ties, emphasising respect and collaboration with Noongar Elders, emerging Elders, and local families.
As the principal, why is reconciliation a priority for you and the school community?
As the principal of Winterfold Primary School, I am passionate about championing reconciliation at every opportunity. This priority originates from a deep belief in the importance of acknowledging and respecting the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For us at Winterfold Primary School, reconciliation is an ongoing journey towards understanding, respect, and unity. It is crucial for creating an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and respected. By integrating reconciliation into our daily practices, we recognise the contributions of Noongar Elders and families, ensuring our students develop a strong sense of cultural awareness. As a leader, fostering a cohesive and supportive community where diversity is celebrated is essential to me.
What was it like to be recognised with the 2023 Narragunnawali Award in the Schools Category?
Being recognised with the 2023 Narragunnawali Award in the Schools Category was an incredible privilege for Winterfold Primary School. It was fantastic to see our reconciliation efforts acknowledged on a national level and to have the opportunity to visit Canberra, meet other inspiring schools, and build further networks of support. Sitting in a room with national leaders and advocates, hearing their presentations and stories, was a powerful experience. It reminded me that while we have made progress, there is still much work to be done. Our success is largely due to our community's willingness to share their culture and histories with us, combined with our outstanding teachers' dedication to making our school a better place for all students. Since receiving the award, several schools have reached out to us for advice on their own reconciliation journeys, allowing us to connect and learn from each other. We understand that this is an ongoing journey, and we remain committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Can you share some of the initiatives happening at Winterfold Primary?
At Winterfold Primary, we have a community garden that is shared with the broader community. The garden features vegetable beds, reflecting the land's history as a market garden, along with shady trees and bush tucker plants, some of which were native to the area before colonisation. This garden is a microcosm of our school’s inclusive approach, providing a space where everyone can grow together in harmony. It embodies our belief that, just like the diverse plants in the garden, our community thrives when we nurture and respect each other’s unique contributions.
Recently, we held a vision workshop to plan further developments for the garden, including creating a yarning circle between the garden and school buildings. This space will serve as an outdoor classroom and a venue for our RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) meetings, fostering a connection with nature. We also plan to use QR codes to share cultural information about the space, enhancing the educational experience for our students and visitors alike.
In a recent staff meeting, teachers reviewed their English planning for the term, reflecting on how they have incorporated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander texts and perspectives into their programs. They shared their practices with each other, planned improvements for the next term, and will reconvene to discuss their progress. This continuous reflection and sharing process helps build capacity among staff. The same approach is applied across other subjects like Science, ensuring that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective is consistently embedded in all areas of learning.
Additionally, our year 5 and 6 students participated in the Blanket Activity, a profound learning experience facilitated by Aboriginal women who shared stories and artefacts. They provided deep insights into the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, making the activity very impactful for the students.
Last year, we reworked our RAP Vision statement with community input, focusing on building relationships. With new families joining our community and others moving away, it is vital to establish strong connections with new families and understand their vision of success for their children at Winterfold Primary.
What advice do you have for schools just starting their reconciliation journey?
Many schools across our state are doing extraordinary work in reconciliation and sharing their stories. The support is available; it's about taking the first step. As educators, we are the lead learners, so building our capacity through professional learning is essential. Connecting with local Elders and listening to their stories is crucial. As non-Aboriginal educators, we can share what we have learned but cannot teach others' cultures. Authenticity and genuine relationships are key, maintaining old connections, developing new ones, and making reconciliation a school priority. The Narragunnawali platform is an excellent resource for both support and materials.
The Narragunnawali Awards are an initiative of Reconciliation Australia. The closing date for applications for the 2025 awards is Friday 2 May. To apply, schools or early learning services must have a published Narragunnawali Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). To find out more, and to access information and resources on developing a RAP, visit https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/.
In this Q&A, Winterfold Primary School Principal Kim Calabrese says building educator capacity through professional learning is essential. As a leader, what opportunities do you provide for staff to build and extend their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures?
