Pope Road Blackburn Kindergarten

Pope Road Kindergarten acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First People of Australia and Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Lands and waterways throughout Australia. 

We acknowledge our kindergarten is on the Traditional Lands of the Wurundjeri people and thank the Wurundjeri people for respecting and taking care of the Land for so long. We welcome all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our kindergarten. 

We believe everyone have the right to know the stories, true histories and diverse perspectives of the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Lands of this place we now call Australia. We will continue to listen and learn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, perspectives and stories to shape our reconciliation journey.

Our daily practice continues to reflect core aspects of reconciliation; relationships, respect and creating opportunities to work with and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. Our vision for reconciliation is for our kindergarten and wider community to continue to contribute to reconciliation and to break down stereotypes and discrimination. Pope Road Kindergarten's governance, and teaching and learning, is underpinned by upholding, valuing, strengthening and maintaining our relationships with First Nations community members, and the wellbeing of all members of our community of practice. 

Our vision is to continue to be an exemplary early childhood service that leads the way in building a better future for all Australians, based on stronger relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community. We believe reconciliation is a process, rather than a destination: an ongoing process which acknowledges the past, understands the present and embraces a future which is based on the respectful co-existence of rights for all Australians. As stated in the 2008 National Apology, we believe that our reconciliation journey is about creating "a future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.