By Amanda Murthy
More than 100 Aboriginal Catholic educators gathered together for a four-day Aboriginal Teaching Assistants (ATAs) Conference at the start of the Term 4, emphasising continual focus on the Plenary Council theme: “Listen to what the Spirit is saying”.
The Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) conference, held from 21 to 24 October at the Catholic Education Centre in Leederville, was an opportunity for Aboriginal Teaching Assistants, Principals, Aboriginal Perspectives Key Teachers, and CEWA system leaders from the Archdiocese of Perth, as well as the Dioceses of Broome, Bunbury, and Geraldton – to network, pray, learn, and discern.
With keynote presentations, workshops, a unique “market day”, participants began the conference with a celebration of the Eucharist with former Geraldton Bishop Emeritus Justin Bianchini in the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel.
Among the highlights of the conference programme were the keynote addresses, delivered by Noongar Elder, cultural educator and storyteller Dr Noel Nannup, and Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr AO, an Aboriginal Elder from Nauiyu (Northern Territory).
Dr Ungunmerr is renowned for her work in Catholic education and as an artist, advocate, writer and public speaker.
In the spirit of participation, Dr Ungunmerr joined attendees in the multiple sessions offered at the conference – much of which was focussed on Catholic identity and Aboriginal spirituality.
CEWA Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce, also a keynote speaker at the conference, spoke about the importance of ATAs to the CEWA system and its Transforming Lives: Strategy 2025.
She said the conference provided an opportunity to invest in the professional development, faith formation, and renewal of a key group of educators.
“Our Catholic education system spans WA with 162 schools and colleges; at many of these schools, from the Perth metropolitan area to regional and remote communities, ATAs do important work facilitating learning, as well as supporting relationships between their school and Aboriginal families,” Dr Sayce said.
“This Conference provided ATAs with unique opportunities to add to their knowledge and strengthen their practice as educators, but it was also a great opportunity for colleagues from different schools and regions to connect,” she added.
CEWA Aboriginal Education Team Leader Sharon Davis echoed similar sentiments, adding that the conference was a brilliant opportunity for Aboriginal people from many different nations to come together through their role, their cultures, and unite through shared spirituality.
“There are limited professional learning opportunities for ATAs, so having an event like this is highly valued. It was a week of deep listening and learning,” she added.
The conference also included workshop sessions on Aboriginal perspectives in curriculum areas by CEWA consultants, a session unpacking Pope Francis’ Gaudete et Exsultate with Caritas Australia Justice Educator Dr Nathan Leber.