It's been another big year with lots happening within the Narragunnawali program and the education sector to support the work of reconciliation in schools and services across Australia. Heading into 2026, we reflect on the year that’s been, share some key initiatives and plan for our next meaningful steps to progress reconciliation in education communities of practice.

First Nations Voices In Education

Reconciliation Australia, in partnership with Gilimbaa Creative Agency, launched the First Nations Voices in Education professional learning resource. This key resource, comprising of six short films and an extensive guide, shares the stories, experiences and aspirations of five First Nations education champions who have fought for change in the Australian education system over many decades. Their work led to some of the reforms that we, as educators, benefit from today.

First Nations Voices in Education aims to amplify the stories and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders within the Australian education system, empower teachers and educators to do the work of reconciliation, and develop an awareness of the histories of the systems in which they teach and learn. It also reminds teachers of the policies, frameworks and standards to which they have committed and supports understanding and implementation of including First Nations voices and perspectives in their teaching and learning.   

National Reconciliation Week 2025

The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, called on all Australians to step forward together, look ahead and continue the push forward with past lessons guiding. From 27 May to 3 June, hundreds of schools, early learning services, workplaces and communities across the country participated in various NRW events. Nearly 700 community choirs from across the country raised their voices for justice, truth, and reconciliation by singing the iconic Australian 1980s hit song, Solid Rock. The Early Learning, Primary and Secondary Narragunnawali NRW curriculum resources were some of the most engaged with materials on the Narragunnawali platform, showing the increasing desire to include reconciliation practice in teaching and learning activities.

Reconciliation Australia is looking forward to launching the 2026 NRW theme so stay tuned!

ECA Reconciliation Symposium 2025

In May, Reconciliation Australia partnered with Early Childhood Australia (ECA) for the ECA Reconciliation Symposium held on Gimuy (Cairns, Queensland). Now in its eleventh year, the symposium provided a platform for people from all roles across the early childhood sector to connect, listen and learn from engaging keynotes and participate in discussions. Reconciliation Australia’s CEO, Karen Mundine, and Narragunnawali team members presented to hundreds of attendees alongside Elders, educators and a number of leaders in the early childhood sector.

National Reconciliation in Education Forum

In November, Reconciliation Australia hosted the National Reconciliation in Education Forum. This event, held at the Museum of Australian Democracy on Ngunnawal Country, invited education leaders from across the country to discuss the barriers and enablers to progressing reconciliation efforts within the Australian education sector.

The keynote by National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition (NIYEC) CEO, Hayley McQuire, and Youth Design Group Congress member, Liz Ross, set the scene with important information shared by panellists across three sessions: Reckoning with the Truths of our Education System, Building a Culturally Responsive Education Sector, and Guiding and Driving Reconciliation Practice. Facilitated table discussion responses will inform an upcoming Summary Report.

_{Photo credit Wirrim Media}

Narragunnawali Awards 2025

Occurring every two years, the Narragunnawali Reconciliation in Education Awards is the only national awards program that recognises and celebrates Australian schools and early learning services that are implementing outstanding reconciliation initiatives.

In November, the fifth Narragunnawali Awards honoured six outstanding schools and early learning centres that have led the way in reconciliation practice, building meaningful relationships with First Nations communities, centring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, and engaging students in open dialogue about our shared histories. Reconciliation Australia proudly announced the winner of the Schools category, Briar Road Public School based on Dharawal Country in NSW and the Early Learning category winner, Evans Head-Woodburn Preschool on Bandjalang Country in Northern NSW. The judges also highly commended Karuah Public School on the Mid North Coast of NSW and we acknowledge the hard work and commitment of the other finalists in both categories: Bannister Creek Primary School, Perth, Goodstart Shailer Park, Logan City Qld, and Tillys Play and Development Centre − Rutherford, NSW.

Keep Your Eye Out for New Narragunnawali Professional Learning Workshops and Resources in the New Year

As you plan your professional learning for 2026, make sure to register for one of our professional learning workshops that builds on reconciliation in education practice, offer insights and practical tools for fostering reconciliation in the classroom, around the school or service and in the community. See the Narragunnawali Workshops landing page for more details on how to register.

You will also see new professional learning resources, webinars and curriculum resources to support educators to champion reconciliation. Keep an eye out in the new year for updates on these workshops that will help you deepen your reconciliation in education journey.