A fascination with the Aboriginal people, their traditions and connection with the land is the motivation driving Serena Cruscanti as she embarks on a 12-week secondment to remote Fitzroy Crossing.
Ms Cruscanti, a teacher at Goodstart Nightcliff, will visit Fitzroy with Johanna Grady, a teacher at Goodstart New Lambton. Both are keen to expand their knowledge and take lessons back to their centres to help create a culture of social inclusion in the next generation.
Fitzroy Crossing is 397km from Broome and has been hosting Goodstart educators in their Baya Gawiy Buga yani Jandu yani u Centre since the program launched in 2016.
“Early childhood educators have an incredible responsibility to teach our children about the 'whole history' of our country, and to be respectful of each other,” Ms Cuscanti said.
“I believe it’s vital that children learn about the history of Australia and I aim to teach them something new and interesting every day.
“Every morning we sit down together with the children and we all repeat the 'acknowledgement of country' together.
"We are a pre-school in Nightcliff, and we would like to say thank you, to the Larrakia people, who let us share the land, and we promise that we will look after it, the people, and the animals."
Ms Cuscanti, who moved to Australia from Italy, is hoping the opportunity will help her connect more deeply with Australian history.
“Coming from Italy, we have such vast cultural history, spanning hundreds of years. Indigenous Australian history is often overlooked yet it is this rich, cultural heritage that makes the country so unique.”
For Ms Grady, providing opportunities for the children of Fitzroy Crossing and taking the learnings back to her centre are two of her primary goals.
“It’s important that we ensure all Australians feel included and valued, giving everyone the opportunity to participate fully in society.
“By teaching this to young children early, I will have an impact on how they help others belong in the community and impact society in the future.
“This secondment will give me the opportunity to offer something new to our centre community and then the broader community. I hope I’ll develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture, practices, and views and take this to help other children learn about Australia's cultural heritage and 'other ways of knowing'.
Ms Cruscanti, a teacher at Goodstart Nightcliff, will visit Fitzroy with Johanna Grady, a teacher at Goodstart New Lambton. Both are keen to expand their knowledge and take lessons back to their centres to help create a culture of social inclusion in the next generation.
Fitzroy Crossing is 397km from Broome and has been hosting Goodstart educators in their Baya Gawiy Buga yani Jandu yani u Centre since the program launched in 2016.
“Early childhood educators have an incredible responsibility to teach our children about the 'whole history' of our country, and to be respectful of each other,” Ms Cuscanti said.
“I believe it’s vital that children learn about the history of Australia and I aim to teach them something new and interesting every day.
“Every morning we sit down together with the children and we all repeat the 'acknowledgement of country' together.
"We are a pre-school in Nightcliff, and we would like to say thank you, to the Larrakia people, who let us share the land, and we promise that we will look after it, the people, and the animals."
Ms Cuscanti, who moved to Australia from Italy, is hoping the opportunity will help her connect more deeply with Australian history.
“Coming from Italy, we have such vast cultural history, spanning hundreds of years. Indigenous Australian history is often overlooked yet it is this rich, cultural heritage that makes the country so unique.”
For Ms Grady, providing opportunities for the children of Fitzroy Crossing and taking the learnings back to her centre are two of her primary goals.
“It’s important that we ensure all Australians feel included and valued, giving everyone the opportunity to participate fully in society.
“By teaching this to young children early, I will have an impact on how they help others belong in the community and impact society in the future.
“This secondment will give me the opportunity to offer something new to our centre community and then the broader community. I hope I’ll develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture, practices, and views and take this to help other children learn about Australia's cultural heritage and 'other ways of knowing'.