Symposium
The National Indigenous Education and Boarding Symposium
is the only annual national event where the key educational leaders
gather to discuss the issues that confront remote education and the
challenges of studying away from home for Indigenous students, their
families and communities.
The Symposium brings together school principals, heads of boarding, Indigenous community leaders, State and Australian government leaders and policy makers, and researchers and academics. All stakeholders share the commitment to improve education outcomes for Indigenous students.
Delegates from different states and sectors are asked to sum up the 2022 IEBA Symposium in one word.
5th NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM 15-17 June 2022
WHAT WORKS TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS STUDENTS
What Works to Support Indigenous Students
The 5th National Symposium will highlight the learnings of the What Works to support Indigenous students project aimed to provide good practice guidance to boarding schools and residences.
Speakers will present knowledge of ‘what works’ and provide guidance for schools and boarding residences to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in boarding.
By improving the school practices and skills of staff working with Indigenous students, family and community engagement will be more effective, retention should increase and education outcomes will improve.
To join the mailing list for the symposium please email your details to events@ieba.com.au or subscribe for our newsletter below.
Who Should Attend
The National Symposium attracted delegates from across Australia who contribute a broad range of perspectives. Past delegates have included:
• School Principals
• Senior School Staff with responsibility for Indigenous students
• Heads of Boarding with specific Indigenous boarding responsibilities
• Remote community leaders and
• Parents and families of children who study away from home
• Indigenous boarding scholarships providers
• Managers of relevant government agencies
• Transition support staff
• Indigenous students
• Managers of Indigenous Corporations
• Managers of Not-for-Profit agencies with responsibility for Indigenous student welfare
Presenters
Presenters will be invited from contributors to the What Works project but there is an open call for presenters to tell their stories of what works for them.
If you know What Works, be you a parent, a student, a school principal, a boarding staff member, a transition coordinator, an ABSTUDY manager, the head of boarding, a remote teacher, a policy planner or an academic we are interest in hearing from you. If you want to be a presenter at the Symposium Please contact greg.franks@ieba.com.au
Venue
Murrook Culture Centre 2163 Nelson Bay Rd Williamtown NSW 2318
The Murrook Cultural Centre, run by the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, is a purpose-built conference facility featuring an outdoor timber deck overlooking a picturesque lake and stunning native gardens. It is located 5 minutes from the Newcastle Airport and an easy 2 ½ hours’ drive from Sydney.
Getting There
Murrook Cultural Centre is located :
- 5 minutes from the Newcastle Airport
- 25km from Newcastle
- 30km from the picturesque Port Stephens
- or an easy 2 ½ hours’ drive from Sydney.
There are regular bus services from Newcastle and Port Stephens to the Newcastle Airport from where there are to be scheduled bus pick up and drop off delegates at the Symposium venue.
Accommodation
Mercure Newcastle Airport is located just 300m from Newcastle Airport in Williamtown and features 95 well appointed guest rooms with soundproof windows. Mercure Newcastle Airport is the perfect location for your base to attend the Symposium with daily bus pick up and drop off.
There are also a range of accommodation options in Newcastle and Port Stephens.
Bookings
Book through Humanitix
Payment options include credit card on-line or during the online booking process you can request an ‘Invoice to Pay’ and receive the invoice instantly. Tickets will follow via email after the payment has been received.
Registration Fee
Delegate registration includes:
• Bus from Newcastle Airport to and from Murrook Cultural Centre daily
• Cultural experience provide by the Worimi Local Aboriginal Lands Council
• Lunches daily, including a chef’s selection of bush tucker
• All morning and afternoon teas
• Symposium Dinner incorporating the Indigenous Boarding Awards presentation
Registration Fees (Inc GST)
IEBA Member Early bird – close 30 April 2022 $1190
IEBA Member Registration – $1390
IEBA Member Group 3 – $3300
Non-member Early bird – close 30 April 2022 $1490
Non-member Registration – $1690
Non- Member Group 3 – $4200
Extra Symposium Dinner Tickets $110
COVID Policy
IEBA will meet all requirements of the NSW government in response to the pandemic to provide as safe an event as possible.
When a person who has booked to attend in-person but is unable to attend due genuine sickness the ticket will refunded minus a $50.00 administration fee.
Where an individual who has booked to attend in-person chooses not to attend they can either transfer the ticket to a different person or request a credit for the 2023 Symposium.
PAST SYMPOSIUM THEMES
The themes for the past Symposiums have been: each of these can link to the past symposiums material from our existing website
The Next 10 Years: Are We Ready?
2021 Cairns QLD
- Indigenous Voices – providing ways for Indigenous Australians to have input on matters important to improve their lives.
- Closing the Gap – the new target seeks 96 per cent of students attaining year 12 by 2031.
- Reconciliation in Education – promoting relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Shaping a Standard
2020 Geelong VIC
- The Need for a Cultural Standard – keynote Warren Snowdon MP
- The Principles that underpin a Cultural Standard – keynote Associate Professor Christine Evans, University of Sydney
- The Framework for a Standard – keynote Dr Tessa Benveniste, Central Queensland University
Whatever it takes!
2019 Brisbane QLD
- On-boarding – what does it take to get an Indigenous kid from the bush to prepare for and commence boarding?
- Engaging – what does it take for a boarder to feel connected with their boarding experience and value their education?
- Staying Connected – what does it take to keep a boarder returning each term, year after year, until they complete their education?
Understanding the findings and responding to the challenges
2018 Canberra ACT
- Child Protection. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
- The power of education The power of education: From surviving to thriving. Educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students – HoRSCIA
- Studying Away Study Away Review – Prime Minister and Cabinet