Hunter Regional Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc The Partnership Agreement is a statement of intent of how the Hunter

Regional Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc and the Hunter Central Coast Region of the Department of Education and Training are planning to work together. The strength of the Hunter Regional AECG Inc is its community based networks of Local AECGs. This allows Aboriginal people to have a voice in self determining their educational future which will impact on the future prosperity of Aboriginal communities. This strength of the Hunter Regional AECG Inc is pivotal to the government as it allows policies and programs to be developed that meet the needs of Aboriginal people and their communities. The working together of Aboriginal communities and the Department of Education and Training is strengthened, under this Partnership Agreement, to achieve common goals set in consultation and negotiation with Aboriginal communities. This Partnership Agreement recognises the critical need to work together, across schools, to achieve the aspirations and potential of Aboriginal learners. The Partnership Agreement is also critically important in fostering collaboration between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in promoting better understanding of our shared history, respect and acceptance of both cultures and recognition of the unique place Aboriginal people have in this country. The Partnership Agreement has meaning and it has purpose. It means accountability to the community as we continue to demand our right to an education and training system that acknowledges and respects Aboriginal peoples as belonging to the oldest living culture of humanity as well as The First Peoples of this land. We have laid the foundation; a stepping stone on which to continue to build. The Hunter Regional AECG Inc will unequivocally commit to working with the Department of Education and Training on the agreed priorities and support the transition of those priorities into practice at the regional and local levels. On behalf of our school community we commit to supporting the principles and intent of the Partnership Agreement between the Hunter Regional Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc and the Hunter Central Coast Region of the Department of Education and Training and give an undertaking to work together to support the learning achievements of our Aboriginal students.

Ken Weatherall, President Hunter Regional Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. 14 September 2010

The Hunter Central Coast Region, Department of Education & Training We commit to: Building on the achievements of Aboriginal people recognising that these achievements are enhanced by schools, communities and Aboriginal families working together Clear and specific commitments for what we are going to do and how we are going to do it Strengthening relationships that are open, respectful and rigorous whilst maintaining the integrity of the Hunter Regional Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc A genuine collaborative relationship in order to provide our Aboriginal students with choices, freedom and opportunities to achieve their best educational outcomes and enhanced life opportunities Providing leadership and supporting schools to engage students in a diverse range of programs Strongly communicating the essence and implications of this Partnership Agreement to all stakeholders Holding the highest expectations for our Aboriginal students, for ourselves and for our communities. This Partnership Agreement continues to build on the very close relationship that the Hunter Central Coast Region already enjoys with the Hunter Regional Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc and we commit to the principles and intent of the Partnership Agreement between the Hunter Regional Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc and the Hunter Central Coast Region of the Department of Education and Training.

Robyn McKerihan, Regional Director Hunter Central Coast Department of Education and Training 14 September 2010

Aboriginal artwork by Raymond Smith