Our aim at Cobden Primary School is to provide quality and meaningful educational outcomes to young Koorie people while increasing cultural awareness of our non-indigenous staff and students. We work with our Koorie Education Support Officers (KESOs) to develop an understanding of Koorie perspectives, and support the development of high expectations and individualised learning for Koorie students. Cobden Primary School is committed to creating an environment that respects, recognises and celebrates cultural identity, and implementing initiatives that meet student needs in partnership with the Koorie community.

We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we learn, work and play, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to their Elders; past and present, and extend that to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.

We gather here on Kirrae Whurrong land of the Eastern Maar Nation.

Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

Aboriginal dates of significance:

• 26 January: Survival Day

• 13 February: Anniversary of the National Apology

• 20 March: National Close the Gap Day

• 26 May: National Sorry Day

• 27 May – 3 June: National Reconciliation Week

• 3 June: Mabo Day

• 1st Sunday in July until the following Sunday: NAIDOC week

• 4 August: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

• 9 August: International Day of World’s Indigenous People

• 10 December: Human Rights Day