First Nations students, educators, parents and community members' perceptions of school lived experience

Research funded by Australians Together is exploring how schools respond when offered curriculum resources and professional learning to build teacher confidence with First Nations perspectives. The research considers the impact of these offereings on the lived experiences of First Nations students and communities. The research team from Batchelor Institute, University of Notre Dame Australia, University of South Australia, Adelaide University, Deakin University and Federation University has engaged with 100 First Nations students to establish a baseline educational ‘lived experience’. Through 2024 the team, which includes both non-Indigenous and First Nations researchers, has interviewed First Nations family and community members, and school staff. Australians Together professional learning and curriculum resources have also been introduced. Follow-up interviews with First Nations students have also been conducted to determine what has changed because of the Australians Together resources.

This presentation will discuss how perspectives differ depending on who is talking, and what kinds of change schools and teachers have introduced to better respond to the needs of their First Nations students. It will also discuss what other influences have changed the way that students describe their lived experience.