The Pedagogy of Welcome Series

Dates: 24 May, 31 May and 7 June2021

Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm (AEST)

Venue: Online

Category: Event

Book ALL 3 WEBINARS before 24 May and SAVE 10%! Registrations close 11am (AEST) 24 May 2021.

Webinar recordings will be made available 2 days after the event is held for a period of 7 days.

Registrations have now closed

Program Description

A sense of welcome is a value in education that many of us would declare that we consider and aspire to uphold. Do we give ourselves pause to reflect on the critical nature of welcome and what this entails? Is it a taken-for-granted practice that we assume is being realised to its full potential?

These webinars will expose participants to some big ideas alongside inspiring and current practice-based research that will invigorate current understandings of the impact of the pedagogy of welcome.

What does it mean to welcome, and how this enacts out values and beliefs? 

What and whom do we welcome? What does that look and feel like?

Do we welcome difference, discomfort, multiple perspectives?

How do reciprocal relationships shape identity and culture?

How might the consideration of welcome support the work required for inclusion and reconciliation? 

As we consider the potential impact and learnings for education in response to recent global events, engaging in this series will allow us to reflect on our environments and move from conversation to action.

Webinar 1 – The ethics of welcome – Monday 24 May – 7.30pm-8.30pm (AEST)

Click here to book Webinar 1

This first webinar in the series will launch the concept of welcome, look at theoretical underpinnings as a set of ideas to foster critical reflection for transformation.

Being cognizant of the myriad of ways of welcoming, from the physical environment to the relational as a part of everyday practice, fosters a sense of connection and belonging that can never be underestimated.

“Our goal is to build an amiable school, where children, teachers, and families feel at home . . . It must embody ways of getting along together, of intensifying relationships among the three central protagonists, of assuring fullness of attention to the problems of educating, and of activating participation and research” (Malaguzzi, cited in Edwards, 2012, p.43)

Inspired by Malaguzzi and others’ thinking, we will explore the intentionality of welcoming all in the community and the impact on the emotional climate that we create to enable children, colleagues, and families to feel that they can bring and be their true selves.

Webinar 2 – A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and the Principles of Reggio Emilia – Monday 31 May – 7.30pm-8.30pm (AEST)

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Reconciliation is an ongoing process of strengthening respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. This commitment can be realised through the development and implementation of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), involving a gradual and important journey of listening, truth telling, relationships, dialogue and learning.

Join Leanne Mits from Pope Road Kindergarten, Blackburn, to hear about the journey of this kindergarten community’s experiences in developing their public declaration of commitment to Reconciliation, including strategies used to introduce Reconciliation to the kindergarten staff and community, from beginning steps, and through challenges and triumphs.

Participants will hear how this teaching team and community engage with Reconciliation Australia’s, Narragunnawali (pronounced narra-gunna-wally) platform and the required sections of a RAP (Relationships, Respect and Opportunities), in relation to the classroom, kindergarten and community. Pope Road Kindergarten’s RAP story articulates some of the possibilities that lie between the development and implementation of a RAP and the principles of Reggio Emilia.

Webinar 3 – Welcoming Reconciliation within an ELC context – Monday 7 June – 7.30pm-8.30pm (AEST)

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This webinar highlights an inspirational ongoing story from practice where the important concept of Welcome has become a focus of pedagogical research.

Over a period of time the act of Reconciliation has been explored in the daily life at St Peter’s Girls’ Early Learners’ Centre. Partnering with Kaurna Elder, Tamaru, the team have delved into how to address this complex area with the community.

Carefully selected rituals have been embedded to support understandings of our Mother Country and culture. These rituals promote the use and understanding of language and promote positive actions every day as acts of Welcome.

How do we establish a welcoming community utilising an effective RAP?

What practices have been developed to support this?

How are the team supported to build on their existing understandings?

This webinar will explore some of the practical implementations alongside some of the challenges faced. Footage of Tamaru working side by side with educators, children and families will be shared as an invitation for participants to reflect on their own journey.

Webinar Terms and Conditions:

• • Please ensure a personal email address is used when registering to ensure you receive the zoom link to join the webinar.
• • Webinars will be made available 2 days after the event is held for a period of 7 days. This time period is not negotiable. If you are unable to view the webinar on the scheduled date or wish to rewatch the webinar please do so within this timeframe. Any requests for extensions will be at an additional cost.
• • Webinars are for individual use and are not to be shared.
• • Participants will need to download the (free) Zoom platform https://zoom.us/
• • It is suggested for participants to use a laptop or desktop – not a phone, this allows for easier use of the webinar tools.
• • No part of the discussion may be recorded by participants nor screenshots taken – reference material will be sent to participants after the event.
• • REAIE will be utilizing a range of tools during the webinar to enable participation.
• • You are invited to utilise the features within Zoom webinar for example the chat feature and the Q & A feature when made available by the presenter.
• • Cancellations must be made via email to admin@reggioaustralia.org.au NO LATER THAN 5 business days before the event. All refunds will incur a 20% administration fee. Cancellations made within 5 business days of an event will not be refunded.
• • There is no refund for non-attendance at an event.
• • All participants will receive a certificate of participation.
• • All sessions will be recorded.
• • The purchase of webinar attendance is for use by the purchaser only and registration information should not be forwarded on to third parties; doing so may hinder your own access, as webinar entry is by prior registration only. Similarly, the materials and replay of webinars are for use by the purchaser only and should not be forwarded on to third parties.