04/06/2026
Learning on Country, Growing Together
Last week, leaders from Taylor and Appletree House Child Care and Education Centres, as well as Isabella Plains Early Childhood Service had the privilege of attending the Connecting to Country professional learning session held on beautiful Ngunnawal Country at Birrigai.
The day provided a valuable opportunity to pause, listen deeply, and reflect on how we can continue to strengthen connections to Country, reconciliation, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives within our ECEC services through daily practice. With observation, reflection and discussion, we explored how Country teaches us the significance of Indigenous knowledge, and how we can create meaningful learning experiences that foster respect, belonging, and connection for children, families, and communities.
We were particularly honoured to share our reconciliation journey with educators from across the sector. It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on how our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has evolved from a guiding document into embedded everyday practice, shaping the experiences of children, families, and educators. We shared examples of our RAP journey, including our Learning Map for 8 Ways Aboriginal Pedagogy, our community partnerships, and the practical ways we are embedding reconciliation and connection to Country into daily experiences for children.
One of the most valuable aspects of the day was the opportunity to learn alongside other educators, to openly share challenges and successes, exchange ideas and resources, and reflect on the shared responsibility we hold in progressing reconciliation through genuine and sustained action.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Birrigai team for hosting such a rich and inspiring learning experience, and to the ECA ACT RAP Committee for their thoughtful organisation and facilitation of the event. Opportunities such as these reinforce that reconciliation is an ongoing journey of learning, reflection, and relationship-building.
We return inspired, challenged, and motivated to continue this important work - walking together, listening with intent, and strengthening our connections to Country, community, and culture.
