The Koori Curriculum Retreat | Koori Curriculum

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The Koori Curriculum Leadership Retreat

Programming, Planning & Pedagogy for Educational Leaders

Join Jessica Staines, Director of Koori Curriculum, for a two-and-a-half-day immersive retreat in Newcastle explicitly designed for educational leaders committed to embedding Aboriginal perspectives across their programs. This retreat is based on the popular “Programming, Planning & Pedagogy” series. It is tailored to provide actionable insights, resources, and a collaborative experience to empower you as a leader in Aboriginal education.

Over this retreat, Jessica will guide you through key areas to support your team’s capacity to meaningfully integrate Aboriginal culture and perspectives.

Programming, Planning & Pedagogy for Educational Leaders

Join Jessica Staines, Director of Koori Curriculum, for a two-and-a-half-day immersive retreat in Newcastle explicitly designed for educational leaders committed to embedding Aboriginal perspectives across their programs. This retreat is based on the popular “Programming, Planning & Pedagogy” series. It is tailored to provide actionable insights, resources, and a collaborative experience to empower you as a leader in Aboriginal education.

Over this retreat, Jessica will guide you through key areas to support your team’s capacity to meaningfully integrate Aboriginal culture and perspectives.

Retreat Location

Hosted at theNovotel Newcastle Beach, you will enjoy 4.5-star luxury during your stay.

Each spacious room offers comfort and tranquillity, perfect for unwinding after a day of learning. Please note participants are responsible for booking and arranging their own travel and accommodation.

Hosted at theNovotel Newcastle Beach, you will enjoy 4.5-star luxury during your stay.

Each spacious room offers comfort and tranquillity, perfect for unwinding after a day of learning. Please note participants are responsible for booking and arranging their own travel and accommodation.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

The Program Includes:

Day 1:

• Session 1: Planning for the Inclusion of Aboriginal Perspectives in Your Curriculum

Learn how to develop inclusive, authentic curriculum plans that prioritize Aboriginal perspectives.

• Session 2: Exploring Aboriginal Pedagogies

Gain an understanding of Aboriginal pedagogies and how they can shape and inform practice.

• Session 1: Planning for the Inclusion of Aboriginal Perspectives in Your Curriculum

Learn how to develop inclusive, authentic curriculum plans that prioritize Aboriginal perspectives.

• Session 2: Exploring Aboriginal Pedagogies

Gain an understanding of Aboriginal pedagogies and how they can shape and inform practice.

Day 2:

• Session 3: Creating Reconciliation Commitment Statements

Work collaboratively to develop meaningful, actionable reconciliation commitment statements.

• Session 4: Building Community Connections

Develop a community connections list and learn respectful protocols for community engagement.

• Session 3: Creating Reconciliation Commitment Statements

Work collaboratively to develop meaningful, actionable reconciliation commitment statements.

• Session 4: Building Community Connections

Develop a community connections list and learn respectful protocols for community engagement.

Day 3 (Half Day):

• Integration and Goal-Setting

Learn goal-setting strategies to foster accountability, responsibility, and team alignment.

• RAP Review and Reflection

Revisit your Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and explore ways to maximize its impact.

• Integration and Goal-Setting

Learn goal-setting strategies to foster accountability, responsibility, and team alignment.

• RAP Review and Reflection

Revisit your Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and explore ways to maximize its impact.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Program Benefits

• Empower Your Team: Strategies for educational leaders to bring their teams on board and align on program goals.

• Practical Tools for Accountability: Learn how to effectively use goal-setting to ensure accountability and shared responsibility.

• Effective Planning Processes: Develop robust programming and planning processes to embed Aboriginal perspectives successfully.

• Hands-on Guidance with Aboriginal Pedagogies: Integrate Aboriginal pedagogies meaningfully to inform daily practices and curriculum.

Additional Details:

• Included Resources: Your ticket includes the Koori Curriculum yearly digital planning guide, which contains culturally important dates and templates used throughout the retreat.

• Interactive and Collaborative: Engage in discussions and exercises with other leaders.

Spaces are limited for this retreat. Secure your spot to join Jessica Staines and leave equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to lead your team in embedding Aboriginal perspectives throughout your school or early learning service.

• Empower Your Team: Strategies for educational leaders to bring their teams on board and align on program goals.

• Practical Tools for Accountability: Learn how to effectively use goal-setting to ensure accountability and shared responsibility.

• Effective Planning Processes: Develop robust programming and planning processes to embed Aboriginal perspectives successfully.

• Hands-on Guidance with Aboriginal Pedagogies: Integrate Aboriginal pedagogies meaningfully to inform daily practices and curriculum.

Additional Details:

• Included Resources: Your ticket includes the Koori Curriculum yearly digital planning guide, which contains culturally important dates and templates used throughout the retreat.

• Interactive and Collaborative: Engage in discussions and exercises with other leaders.

Spaces are limited for this retreat. Secure your spot to join Jessica Staines and leave equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to lead your team in embedding Aboriginal perspectives throughout your school or early learning service.

One on One Mentoring with Jessica Staines

Each educator that joins the Koori Curriculum at a retreat will participate in a one on one mentoring session with your host, Jessica Staines.

Jessica Staines is an early childhood educator, professional speaker, author, advocate and advisor. As the founder and director of Koori Curriculum, Jessica is committed to helping educators embed Aboriginal perspectives into early childhood education.

She has played many significant roles nationally and internationally in building cultural understanding, reconciliation and harmony, including as an Indigenous advisor to ABC’s Playschool.

Jessica’s family are originally from Wiradjuri country, but due to displacement have lived off-country on Gadigal and Wangal lands for four generations. Jessica is proud to be a Wiradjuri woman, and today lives on Darkinjung Country with her husband and two children.

Each educator that joins the Koori Curriculum at a retreat will participate in a one on one mentoring session with your host, Jessica Staines.

Jessica Staines is an early childhood educator, professional speaker, author, advocate and advisor. As the founder and director of Koori Curriculum, Jessica is committed to helping educators embed Aboriginal perspectives into early childhood education.

She has played many significant roles nationally and internationally in building cultural understanding, reconciliation and harmony, including as an Indigenous advisor to ABC’s Playschool.

Jessica’s family are originally from Wiradjuri country, but due to displacement have lived off-country on Gadigal and Wangal lands for four generations. Jessica is proud to be a Wiradjuri woman, and today lives on Darkinjung Country with her husband and two children.

Retreat Details:

Date: 23rd - 25th May, 2025

Day One: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Day Two: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Day Three: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Novotel Newcastle Beach, 5 King St, Newcastle, NSW, 2300.

Facilitator: Jessica Staines, Koori Curriculum Director.

Date: 23rd - 25th May, 2025

Day One: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Day Two: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Day Three: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Novotel Newcastle Beach, 5 King St, Newcastle, NSW, 2300.

Facilitator: Jessica Staines, Koori Curriculum Director.

Testimonials from Retreat Attendees

"I have got everything that I wanted and even more so. I feel more connected and I have a little bit more of an understanding of what I want to do with the center."

Cathy - Director,Happy Turtle Childcare

"The whole experience has shifted something deeply within me. It's beyond what I had ever thought it would be."

Jenn - Director,Urban Discovery

"It's hard to pick a highlight. The smoking ceremony definitely. That was very spiritual for me. And I got a lot out of that."

Sharon - Educator,Happy Turtle Childcare

"To listen to somebody talk from their personal experience in a group like we had last night, that were really engaged and willing to listen, it broadened your perspective a little bit more."

Emma- Regional Mobile Playgroup Facilitaton

"It's been actually quite a healing sort of experience, and it's given me some new energy to take back to work"

Darelle - Deputy Principle,Epping North Primary School

Why Attend?

This retreat is more than just professional development; it's your opportunity to build a supportive community of like-minded educators dedicated to making meaningful changes in their practice. The strategies we share are adaptable and can be tailored to various contexts, ensuring you leave with practical tools that empower you and your communities.

Meet Your Host

Jessica Staines, Director of Koori Curriculum, is committed to helping educators embed Aboriginal perspectives into early childhood education. With an extensive background in early childhood education and cultural awareness, you will gain invaluable insights and inspiration.

Investment in Your Future

Early Bird Ticket (expires 31st Jan 2025): $1,035.65 inc GST and Booking Fee.

General Ticket (expires 22nd May 2025): $1,320 inc GST and Booking Fee.

All ticket prices in include lunch on day one and day two, plus morning tea across all 3 days.

You’ll invest in your professional growth and the future of your programs.

Join us in this remarkable setting to deepen your understanding of cultural perspectives in early childhood education whilst embracing the beauty of nature. Reserve your spot today and take the first step towards enriching your teaching practice!

Early Bird Ticket (expires 31st Jan 2025): $1,035.65 inc GST and Booking Fee.

General Ticket (expires 22nd May 2025): $1,320 inc GST and Booking Fee.

All ticket prices in include lunch on day one and day two, plus morning tea across all 3 days.

You’ll invest in your professional growth and the future of your programs.

Join us in this remarkable setting to deepen your understanding of cultural perspectives in early childhood education whilst embracing the beauty of nature. Reserve your spot today and take the first step towards enriching your teaching practice!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Frequently Asked Questions

: A: while we strongly recommend that you participate in all the activities, mandatory involvement is not expected.
: Yes absolutely
: A: Please read our cancellation policy carefully:
a. A total of eight people have to book this retreat for it to go ahead; if we fail to hit those numbers your money will be fully refunded.
b. If for any reason you can’t come but are able to find someone to take your spot, all moneys will be refunded.
: A: Comfortable clothes, a laptop and an open mind
: A: If you are interstate and would like to join the retreat we would love to have you join us, however travel to Sydney would be at your own cost. Our team can also provide hire car and airport transfer information to transport you from the airport to our retreat location if needed.
: A: Yes, you can attend if you are interstate, please note that transport to Sydney will be at your own cost.
: A: Yes, Koori Curriculum Club members are able to take advantage of a discount on the cost of the retreat. Please contact us at info@kooricurriculum.com if you need us to resupply the discount code.
: Yes,We take no responsibility for personal accidents during the trip.
: A: You are welcome to do some sight seeing while at the retreat.Any additional transport, meals and beverages during free time/outside of the retreat are not included in the price.
: Yes, our retreat is open to all Educators male and female.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

The Koori Curriculum Leadership Retreat

The Koori Curriculum Leadership Retreat

Programming, Planning & Pedagogy for Educational Leaders