Role
The role of the Community Education Counsellor (CEC) is to provide educational counselling and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to equip them for the development of learning and participation at school. This involves connecting with students, school staff, community and family of students to ensure that the finest knowledge is obtained to support each individual student.
Location
The location at the school is in the Bulkairi Space (Coming Together), in B Block, a central position within the school layout. This space is where the CEC, Teacher Aides, and Tutors work from, and provides educational resources, a collection of artefacts, two computers and a safe space in which students can express themselves. It also acts as a space for guests, community and organisations in partnership with Bulkairi Space to work from.
Partnerships
Bulkairi Space has built numerous partnerships with outside community groups, individuals and organisations for Educational and Cultural purposes. Some of these partnerships include, the Former Origin Greats (FOGS) through the Achieving Results through Indigenous Education (ARTIE) project, providing mentoring for students through numerous activities. Another key partnership is with Murrigunyah, a Corporation for Women in South East Primary Health Care Network, who deliver the workshop 'Bulllimbah, Healing Our Way'. There are many more partnerships that are working with the school, and we are always open for including more.
Crossing Cultures
The CEC also facilitates the Crossing Cultures – A Hidden History workshop, to provide cross-cultural awareness training to the School and broader community, to ensure that the appropriate embedding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in schools is obtained. Through this engagement with Teachers, the CEC is often approached to be a Guest Speaker or provide contacts to community in which to engage in the classroom. Support in developing lessons and unit plans based on history, culture, values, beliefs, languages, lifestyles and roles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is also provided.