About Aboriginal Education Services
We provide services to schools to enable:
- Staff to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners to reach their learning potential.
- All learners to understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.
Aboriginal Education Services (AES) work within the Development and Support Division. AES develop strategies, resources, policies and guidelines. These support:
- Closing the Gap in educational outcomes for Aboriginal learners
- The teaching of truth of Tasmania’s history to all learners.
Our work is guided by Tasmania’s Aboriginal Education Framework and acknowledges Tasmania’s unique socio-cultural context. It responds to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy.
- Tasmania’s Aboriginal Education Framework (PDF, 393KB)
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy (PDF, 1778KB)
Staff, please visit Aboriginal Education Services intranet site (staff only) for more information.
The Orb
The Orb is a collection of online resources that assists the teaching of Tasmanian Aboriginal histories and cultures.
It is visual and suited to a range of learning styles. It embraces many Aboriginal ways of being, knowing, thinking, and doing.
Each section contains video clips and pages. These have either a quote, discussion questions, further information, or investigations. There are teaching materials to extend teacher and leader understanding of The Orb.
Learning Plans
All Aboriginal students will have a Learning Plan. This plan will:
- be developed in partnership with parent/carer, the child, and their teacher(s)
- assist the school in understanding how to build on community and cultural connections
- identify specific goals for learning.
Our Services
Regional Teams
Aboriginal Education Services operates across four regions
- Kunanyi Team – South
- Kutalayna Team – South
- Kanamaluka Team – North
- Pataway Team – North-West
Aboriginal Educators in Schools
The department employs:
- Aboriginal Education Support Officers (AESOs)
- Aboriginal Education Officers (AEOs)
- Aboriginal Program Officers (APWs)
- Aboriginal Early Years Education Workers (AEYEWs)
- Aboriginal Education Workers (AEWs).
Aboriginal Educators support teachers and Aboriginal students in some DECYP schools. They focus on the areas of wellbeing, access, participation and engagement.
Aboriginal Education Services Library
The Library resources can be borrowed by teachers, students and members of the public. It has over 9000 items covering:
- Tasmanian Aboriginal resources – historical and contemporary
- Fiction
- Sets of readers that include Aboriginal perspectives and Aboriginal people
- Curriculum materials
- Literacy and numeracy testing tools.
We promote new resources and information in a regular email. If you would like to receive this email, please contact us.
You can search the Aboriginal Education Services Library Catalogue.
Here is a short two minute video about the Library.
Phone: 03 616 55480
Email: aboriginal.education.library@decyp.tas.gov.au
Term access:
The Library is open from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm weekdays.
School holiday access:
Please contact reception on 6165 5478 if you wish to visit during school holidays.
Video resources are available on the Aboriginal Education Services YouTube channel
Aboriginal Education in Museums
Aboriginal Education Services work with local museums to provide Aboriginal educational programs.
- Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery – Aboriginal Culture Programs
- Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery – The First Tasmanians: Our Story
Scholarships
Alma Lily Stackhouse Scholarship
The Alma Lily Stackhouse Scholarship launched in 2008. Aunty Alma saw the value of education for young Aboriginal people. The two year Scholarship provides support for Aboriginal students from rural/remote areas. Assisting students to gain their TCE and ATAR. This level of education allows entry to university or other tertiary-level study. Funds received cover costs inclusive of but not restricted to:
- Materials
- Equipment
- Travel
- Other costs of living.
Whilst enrolled in Years 11 and 12.
Lucy Beeton Aboriginal Teacher Scholarship
Lucy Beeton was the first Tasmanian Aboriginal teacher. A Scholarship in her name recognises Lucy’s achievements. Lucy was born on Gun Carriage Island in the Bass Strait in 1829. In 1871 she established a school in a tent on Badger Island. Lucy later lobbied government to fund a teacher.
Currently in Tasmania, Aboriginal teachers make up less than one per cent of teachers. Increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers is a priority. The Scholarship aims to provide a financial incentive. This provides opportunity for Aboriginal people to undertake a teaching qualification at university.
Further Information
Contacts
30 Raminea Road, Lindisfarne 7015 (entrance via Brammall Street). Google Maps
Aboriginal Education Services
GPO Box 169
Hobart TAS 7001 Phone: 03 6165 5478
Email: aboriginal.education@decyp.tas.gov.au