Helena River Steiner School Embarks on its Reconciliation Action Plan Journey

Cultural responsivity and inclusivity have been key values for Helena River Steiner School from its early beginnings. Connection to place, community, history and Noongar culture weaves through the fabric of our curriculum, forms a key part of building our school community, and features deeply in the honoring of the land on which we have built our school.

Noongar language and culture is actively taught from the Kindergarten, through the Primary and into Middle School years, bringing a sense of local First Peoples connection to the arts, the land, history and community. Noongar language can be heard daily across the school, whether it be in music and song, in a verse or a blessing, in celebration of the changing seasons, or in daily greetings between teachers and students. 

In 2019, Helena River proudly launched its Indigenous Scholarship Program, fostering strong ties with Noongar families from within our local community keen to access a holistic and nurturing education.

It is from this strong foundation that we have now begun the journey of formal development of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).  Through this, we aim to continue to strengthen culturally responsive relationships, respect and opportunities in the classroom, around the school and with surrounding communities.

For more information on this vital project, to be part of the Helena River RAP Support Network, volunteer your involvement or to discuss what is possible, please contact RAP Project Coordinator Melissa Harvey on melissa.harvey@hrss.wa.edu.au.

To learn more about Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali program and RAP development process, you may also like to visit: www.reconciliation.org.au/narragunnawali