At St Francis Flexible School – Hobart, we are committed to honouring and learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. With guidance from staff member Matt Smith, a palawa man from lutruwita, we have strong connections with local indigenous communities, helping us create meaningful learning experiences for our Young People and staff.
Our partnerships, like the one with Karadi Aboriginal Corporation, give students the chance to work alongside indigenous leaders on projects like artwork and cultural activities. Students also take part in cultural learning sessions — including on-country experiences to better understand the cultural and spiritual importance of the land.
We honour important events like NAIDOC Week with Welcome to Country ceremonies, cultural performances, and guest speakers. Students also engage in hands-on programs, such as learning about indigenous foods and participating in outdoor adventures like kayaking.
Each class explores cultural learning in different ways — from painting and storytelling to understanding Aboriginal history and identity. The school has also supported select students to join programs like muylatina milaythina, which helps young First Nations people learn skills to become on-country rangers.
Looking forward, we plan to create a St Francis Indigenous Council, led by young people, to ensure student voices shape our cultural journey. We also have exciting plans in place to build a model bark canoe and expand our use of palawa kani, the Tasmanian Aboriginal language, through engaging classroom games.
