RAP 2018-2020

Reconciliation Action Plan

2018 - 2020

Contents 03
05
Our RAP Artwork 06
A Message From Our Director 07
AISWA RAP Plan 2018-2020 07
RAP Actions and Deliverables 09
Relationships 11
Respect 12
Opportunities 13
Tracking Progress and Reporting 13
AISWA RAP Working Group
Contact Information

Page 2

Our RAP Artwork

Titled: Djilba Springtime

Artist Jenny Knapp 2017

The story is of Djilba springtime season, when bilya waterways and lakes are full and djet wildflowers are in
bloom, creating the colours of land on Noongar boodja country.
The Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA) offices are situated in close proximity
to Herdsman Lake. The lake, traditionally called Ngurgenboro is now known as Herdsman Lake.
AISWA would like to acknowledge that the land we work on is Whadjuk Noongar boodja (country) and that
the Whadjuk Noongar people are the traditional owners and custodians who have a rich social, spiritual and
historical connection to this country which is as strong today as it was in the past.
The artwork used on the cover page was created by the staff at the AISWA offices under the watchful
guidance of Noongar artist Jenny Knapp.

For photos and information about the creation of Djiba Springtime, please visit:
https://www.ais.wa.edu.au/news/aiswas-reconciliation-action-plan-rap-launch

AISWA RAP 2018-2020

Reconciliation Morning Tea 2018

Page 4

A Message from the Executive Director

I acknowledge the Whadjuk peoples of the Noongar Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which
the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA) is located. We pay our respects to the
past, present and emerging Traditional Custodians of the nation. We recognise the rich and diverse culture
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the valuable contribution this diversity brings.
I am proud to present the AISWA 2018-2020 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Our Innovate RAP
highlights AISWA’s continued commitment to the guiding principles of the National Quality Framework,
including that the rights and best interests of children are paramount and that Australia’s Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander cultures are valued.
AISWA’s RAP has been developed on these guiding principles driving the development of the actions and
deliverables within it. This RAP allows us to celebrate and build on current partnerships and establish new
ones. It is a reflection of our belief that reconciliation along with cultural awareness, safety and competency
need to be embedded across the work we do at AISWA as well as in our work with education stakeholders.

Thank you to our RAP Working Group for their work in
developing this Innovate RAP and the commitment of all
AISWA staff in delivering on it.

Ms Valerie Gould
Executive Director
Association of Independent Schools
of Western Australia

AISWA RAP 2018-2020

AISWA RAP 2018-2020

OUR VISION FOR RECONCILIATION

As an organisation supporting independent schools across Western Australia, AISWA ‘s vision is to develop
a shared understanding of reconciliation, so that our good intentions to develop relationships, respect and
opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples become measureable actions that will
support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve equality in all aspects of life.

OUR BUSINESS

AISWA was established in 1962 as a non-profit organisation to support, represent and promote the
interests of Independent Schools. AISWA is incorporated under the Industrial Relations Act. AISWA’s
constituent members include over one hundred and fifty five Independent Schools including those of two
Independent School systems. Its member schools educate over 80,000 students and employ over 5,500
teaching and over 3,500 non-teaching staff.
In 2018 AISWA employs 70 people. There are two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.

OUR RAP

As AISWA recognises the importance of recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first
peoples of Australia and acknowledge the disadvantage experienced by many across the areas of health,
employment, education and general well-being. It is our view that positive relationships between Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Australians can contribute to
overcoming challenges in these areas.

AISWA has a number of priorities in regards to reconciliation:
• to develop staff knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures,

experiences and achievements
• to explore the meaning of reconciliation and the fact that the word means nothing unless accompanied

by action, which often means hard work
• to recognise the significance of reconciliation in building and maintaining relationships between

Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community that enables
change
• to encourage values that reflect inclusion, acceptance and support through the organisation.

Page 6

RAP Actions and Deliverables

REL ATIONSHIPS

AISWA will actively promote and build sustainable relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities to ensure cultural perspectives and
approaches are acknowledged and represented in all service provision.

Action: RAP Working Group (RWG) actively monitors RAP development and implementation of
actions, tracking progress and reporting

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

RWG oversees the development, endorsement and October 2017 RAP Working Group
launch of the RAP.

Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are March annually Executive Director
represented on the RWG.

Meet at least twice per year to monitor and report on RAP March and RAP Working Group

implementation. September annually

Establish Terms of Reference for the RWG. October 2017 RAP Working Group
Executive Director

Action: Celebrate and participate in National Reconciliation Week (NRW) by providing
opportunities to build and maintain relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples and other Australians

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Organise at least one internal event for NRW each year. 27 May-3 June, RAP Working Group
annually

Register our NRW event via Reconciliation Australia’s 27 May-3 June, RAP Working Group
NRW website. annually

Support an external NRW event. 27 May-3 June, Executive Director
annually RAP Working Group

Ensure our Working Group participates in an external 27 May-3 June, Working Group
event to recognise and celebrate NRW. annually

Encourage staff to participate in external events to 27 May-3 June, RAP Working Group
recognise and celebrate NRW. annually

Download Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and 27 May-3 June, RAP Working Group

circulate to staff. annually

AISWA RAP 2018-2020

Action: Develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples, communities and organisations to support positive outcomes

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Develop and implement an engagement plan to May 2019 RAP Working Group
work with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Executive Director
stakeholders.

Meet with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander August 2019 RAP Working Group
organisations to develop guiding principles for future
engagement.

Develop joint ventures, partnerships, pro bono support September 2019 RAP Working Group
or secondment and community capacity opportunities. Executive Director

Action: Raise internal and external awareness of our RAP to promote reconciliation across our
business and sector

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Implement and review a strategy to communicate our March 2019 RAP Working Group
RAP to all internal and external stakeholders. Executive Director

Promote reconciliation through ongoing active March annually RAP Working Group
engagement with all stakeholders. Executive Director

Page 8

RESPECT

AISWA will embrace, promote and support respectful relationships and cross cultural understanding
within the organisation, amongst its member schools and in the wider community to ensure that the
needs and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples become an integral element of
our everyday activities.

Action: Engage employees in cultural learning opportunities to increase understanding and
appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Develop and implement a cultural awareness training May 2019 RAP Working Group
strategy for our staff which defines cultural learning Executive Director
needs of employees in all areas of our business and
considers various ways cultural learning can be provided
(online, face to face workshops or cultural immersion).

Investigate opportunities to work with local Traditional June 2019 Future Footprints
Owners and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff
consultants to develop cultural awareness training.

Provide opportunities for RWG members, RAP July 2019 Executive Director
champions, HR managers and other key leadership staff
to participate in cultural training.

Identify cultural learning requirements specific to staff March annually RAP Working Group
training needs.

Promote the Reconciliation Australia’s Share Our Pride March 2019 RAP Working Group
online tool to all staff.

Investigate local cultural experiences and immersion March 2019 RAP Working Group
opportunities.

Action: Engage employees in understanding the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander cultural protocols, such as Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country, to
ensure there is a shared meaning.

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Develop, implement and communicate a cultural February 2019 RAP Working Group
protocol document for Welcome to Country and Executive Director
Acknowledgement of Country.

Develop a list of key contacts for organising a Welcome April 2019 RAP Working Group
to Country and maintaining respectful partnerships.

Invite a Traditional Owner to provide a Welcome to February 2019 Executive Director
Country at least one significant event.

AISWA RAP 2018-2020

Include Acknowledgement of Country at the February 2018 Executive Director
commencement of important external and external
meetings.

Organise and display an Acknowledgment of Country May 2018 RAP Working Group
plaque in our office/s or on our office building. Executive Director

Action: Provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to engage with their
culture and communities by celebrating NAIDOC Week

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Review HR policies and procedures to ensure there are First week of July, AISWA Business
no barriers to staff participating in NAIDOC Week. annually Manager

Provide opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait First week of July, Executive Director
Islander staff to participate with their cultures and annually
communities during NAIDOC Week.

Provide opportunities for all staff to participate in First week of July, Executive Director
NAIDOC Week activities. annually

Hold an internal or external NAIDOC Week event. First week of July, Executive Director
annually

Support an external NAIDOC Week community event. First week of July, RAP Working Group
annually Executive Director

Contact our local NAIDOC Week Committee to discover First week of July, RAP Working Group

events in our community. annually

Page 10

OPPORTUNITIES

AISWA recognises that opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations
and communities are imperative if we are to contribute to overcoming the disadvantage experienced by
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. AISWA also recognises that both the organisation and Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be enriched by the exchange of skills, knowledge and perspectives.

Action: Investigate opportunities to improve and increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
employment outcomes within our workplace

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Develop and implement an Aboriginal and Torres Strait August 2019 RAP Working Group
Islander Employment and retention strategy. Executive Director

Engage with existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait July 2019 RAP Working Group
Islander staff to consult on employment strategies,
including professional development.

Advertise all vacancies in Aboriginal and Torres Strait August 2019 Executive Director’s
Islander media. PA

Collect information on our current Aboriginal and July 2019 RAP Working Group
Torres Strait Islander staff to inform future employment
opportunities.

Review HR and recruitment procedures and policies July 2019 RAP Working Group
to ensure there are no barriers to Aboriginal and Executive Director
Torres Strait Islander employees and future applicants
participating in our workplace.

Include in all job advertisements, ‘Aboriginal and Torres August 2019 Executive Director’s
Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.’ PA

Action: Investigate opportunities to incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier
diversity within our organisation

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Review procurement policies and procedures to October 2019 RAP Working Group
identify barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Executive Director
businesses to supply our organisation with goods and
services.

Develop and communicate to staff a list of Aboriginal October 2019 RAP Working Group
and Torres Strait Islander businesses that can be used
to procure goods and services.

Develop one commercial relationship with an Aboriginal February 2019 RAP Working Group
and/or Torres Strait Islander owned business. Executive Director

Investigate Supply Nation membership. March 2019 RAP Working Group

AISWA RAP 2018-2020

TRACKING PROGRESS AND REPORTING

Action: Report RAP achievements, challenges and learnings to Reconciliation Australia.

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Complete and submit the RAP Impact Measurement 30 September, RAP Working Group
Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia annually. annually

Participate in the RAP Barometer. Annually RAP Working Group

Develop and implement systems and capability needs to Biennial RAP Working Group
track, measure and report on RAP activities.

Action: Report RAP achievements, challenges and learnings internally and externally

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Publically report our RAP achievements, challenges and April annually Executive Director
learnings.

Action: Review, refresh and update RAP

Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Review, refresh and update RAP based on learnings, October 2019 RAP Working Group
challenges and achievements.

Send draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal November 2019 RAP Working Group
feedback and endorsement.

Page 12

Name CURRENT AISWA RAP WORKING GROUP
Roni Forrest
Sue Mulholland Position
Kate Reitzenstein Coordinator, Future Footprints Program
Maree Whiteley Administrative Support Officer, AISWA School Psychology Service
Ana-Lisa Randall Languages Consultant, Teaching and Learning
Pat Kershaw Primary Consultant, Teaching and Learning
Specail Projects Coordinator, PA to Deputy Director
Name Literacy Consultant
Sophia Sabatier
Di Edwards SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO
Jessica Smalpage
Position
(Previous AISWA employee) Literacy Coordinator
(Previous AISWA employee) Literacy Consultant
RAP booklet - design and layout

CONTACT INFORMATION

Roni Forrest Sue Mulholland
Coordinator, Future Footprints Progam Administrative Support Officer
08 9441 1647 08 9441 1632
[email protected] [email protected]

AISWA RAP 2018-2020