Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education An Introduction for the Teaching Profession

Upon reflection, I had, as a child, become a sound state-school student within a culturally diverse student group. The physical environment, from infants and primary school sites to the secondary school site, was not particularly diverse. It was often characterised by interiors of neutral-coloured linoleum, regulation departmental mid-blue accents, modular timber cupboards and exteriors defined by seriously brown brick walls, asphalt playgrounds and modestly allocated grass areas. Grey wire-fences surrounded the built environments of almost every school site. Landscaping was limited to an agglomeration of concrete-bound, sandstone forms providing an edging to the asphalt and was usually located near the entrance of the school. The plants inside were mostly hardy ‘natives’ that irrespective of their apparent suitability seemed to struggle to survive.