2022 Indigenous Education Statement

In 2022, Oorala implemented a number of new strategies to augment student outcomes (detailed throughout the report).

Elder-in-Residence Network

In 2022, UNE strengthened the Elder-in-Residence program by advertising for additional interest to create a diverse network. The Elder in Residence at the Oorala Aboriginal Centre provides Indigenous leadership, cultural advice and pastoral support to the entire University Community. Expressions of interest have been received and actioned.

Indigenous Orientation Guide

The Oorala Aboriginal Centre and the UNE Marketing team collaborated to create the Indigenous Orientation Guide. This resource was created as a part of the Multi-Media project funded by rollover from the 2021 ISSP funding. The guide was designed to create a student reference document in print and electronic, supporting their orientation to UNE and transition to higher education. This allowed the Student Experience team to reduce the volume of information provided during onboarding activities such as PREP and Orientation, instead focussing on targeted advice and information for that time of their student journey.

Oorala Community Engagement at UNE Colleges

From the start of 2022, a range of activities were conducted within the College precinct, including student well-being, celebrations and events. PVC-Indigenous Strategy and Oorala staff were active participants in events to support students and raise the profile of Indigenous Staff and Students.

UNE Community

In the UNE community, Oorala organised or supported a broad range of activities to raise the visibility of Indigenous students and create a safe and inclusive campus. Some activities included art exhibitions, such as the reconciliation week exhibition of local artists, the grinding stones archaeology photographic display, and the Student photography competition (Your Place Our Country). Students and staff participated in the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education. Oorala held the inaugural Indigenous Staff and Students Awards Night. Indigenous students and staff participated in the UNE Tamworth Aboriginal Working Group. This cross-community group addresses issues relevant to Indigenous participation in higher education in the LGA. The Moree Strategy includes a First Nations objective offering courses and initiatives explicitly designed to support First Nations students and research. These activities are a strategy to connect students to the institution and the wider community and enhance progression through extra-curricular activities.

Academic Support Review

In 2022, the Oorala Aboriginal Centre completed a full review of academic support offered to Indigenous students at UNE. The review aimed to improve student and tutor experiences, make tuition services more accessible, and improve programme administration to tutor communication. Specifically, we undertook the following improvements:

1. Implementation of online induction for tutoring staff
2. Review of Tutoring Online Portal and Enhancements
3. Review and update of TTA Program Guidelines in preparation for 2023
4. Review and update online content
5. Environmental scan of tutorial programs at other institutions
6. Reviewed tutor recruitment to improve tutors’ quality and increase tutor availability.

During Trimester Three of 2022, Oorala added the Oorala Study Skills and LANTITE Preparation online study sessions to its suite of academic supports. The LANTITE sessions were designed to help prepare education students for the LANTITE Literacy test by revising some of the essential language and literacy skills from the upper primary and early secondary curriculum and the LANTITE Numeracy test. This includes revising explicit instruction of the required mathematical concepts from the upper primary and early secondary curriculum.

There were nine Oorala Study Skills online sessions held across Trimester Three. These were designed to assist students with the broad academic skills needed for tertiary education. These sessions covered skills such as research and referencing, academic writing, revision, and exam preparation.

Oorala Study Skills Videos

In 2022, staff developed three new videos to assist students in developing study skills independently. The suite is embedded in the TRACKS unit TRAXOO5, Academic Literacy Skills. The videos can be found on YouTube and www.une.eduau/info-for/Indigenous-matters/oorala

Faculty Indigenous Liaison Officers

Four Indigenous liaison officers were engaged in enhancing the outcomes of Indigenous students against their non-Indigenous peers by providing targeted and culturally competent mentoring and advice. This student-focused role helps academics in each Faculty better support Indigenous students, particularly in units and courses with low success rates, by developing and tracking enrolment and progression plans to optimise success. The role is designed to allow Indigenous students to participate in an academic dialogue that values their experiences as Indigenous Australians, which they may not be able to access in their family or community. This creates Communities of Practice where all students can participate, giving Indigenous students a sense of belonging and improving retention. It improves faculty-student communication.

Social and Wellness Activities

The Oorala experience team introduced social sports sessions with staff and students to encourage well-being, fitness and friendships and build rapport between students and support staff. This activity also supported students in preparing for the National Indigenous Games and acting as a tool for wellness. Participants valued the activities and the activities will continue.

Atrium Project

Atrium offers an evidenced-based approach for enhancing a student’s learning journey and improving outcomes by creating close student-teacher relationships, improving student progression and the overall student experience. The project also aims to improve retention and engagement by streamlining and supporting the outreach by UNE Academics. Atrium helps academics identify students, understand their context, offer support and document interactions.

Research Support

Staff established meetings with the UNE Research services team to discuss current HDR student needs. The Head of the Graduate School also has a standing appointment with the PVC-Indigenous Strategy. The actions are the first steps in developing a dialogue to support Indigenous Higher Degree Research students.

Success Rates

Indigenous student success rates have improved slightly since 2021 (see Table 5). The revision of the Indigenous Education Strategy will place a renewed focus on this outcome.