NAIDOC Week (6-13 July) is a great opportunity to look at exactly how First Nations culture is taught in our classrooms - and how families can be part of that learning at home too. Here's how it works at Kids Academy.
This Year's Theme
Kids Academy's Lifelong Learning Curriculum is built in partnership with Wandana Aboriginal Education. Through Wandana's education kits, online programs and educator professional development, our teams are equipped to deliver First Nations content that is accurate, respectful and consistent across every centre, not just during NAIDOC Week, but throughout the year.
What This Looks Like Day to Day
In practice, this means children might start their morning with an Acknowledgement of Country led by their educator, take part in a story or dance shared by a Wandana facilitator, or learn a new word in a local Aboriginal language during group time. These moments are woven into existing routines - mat time, outdoor play, art and craft - rather than treated as a separate add-on, so learning feels natural and consistent rather than a once-off lesson.
Educators are also supported to answer children's questions honestly and age-appropriately, using Wandana-developed resources to guide these conversations with confidence.
A Milestone Moment for Our Network
Earlier this month, Affinity Education's executive team met with Wandana Aboriginal Education, where they were gifted an original Whale Song - “Garuuja” - composed by Aboriginal Elder Uncle Tim Gray. Uncle Tim shared: “Whale songs like ‘Garuuja’ represent kinship, spirituality and are linked to ancient ‘Songlines,’ which are dreaming paths that navigate the coastline. These songs and stories are used to ‘sing up’ whales along the coast to ensure safe travel for Mothers and calves, map migratory routes and connect coastal communities.”
The song will soon be shared with centres nationally as part of ongoing learning experiences. Affinity Education CEO Glen Hurley said reconciliation “is not a single moment in time - it's an ongoing learning journey.”
Read more: NAIDOC Week 2026: Celebrating Culture, Connection and 50 Years of Deadly
Building Skills for School and Beyond
Learning to listen, ask respectful questions, and understand perspectives different to your own are all skills that support your child's readiness for school, not just academically, but socially. When children practise these skills through First Nations learning experiences, they're also building the communication and empathy foundations that will serve them well in the classroom and beyond.
How Families Can Get Involved
Ask your child what they learned this week - an Acknowledgement of Country, a story, or a new song. These conversations reinforce classroom learning and help build your child's understanding and confidence when talking about First Nations culture.
Whether your child is already with us or you're comparing centres for the year ahead, this step-by-step approach is a good example of how we structure learning at Kids Academy - clear, consistent, and always building towards the next stage of your child's development.
You can read more about the full NAIDOC Week celebration across the Affinity Education network, including the gifting of the Whale Song, here.
Ready to see the Lifelong Learning Curriculum in action? Find your nearest Kids Academy centre and book a tour.