Cultural Integrity at Lyneham High School

The staff and students of Lyneham High School acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet and learn together. This land, so mindfully looked after by the Ngunnawal people, has been a central meeting place for thousands of years. Sheltered by mountains, the three waterways of Murrumbidgee, Molonglo and Cotter nourish those fortunate enough to visit. We thank the Ngunnawal people and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who visit, work and learn at our school every day. 

Cultural Integrity Belief Statement

At Lyneham High School we believe that First Nations perspectives, cultures and histories should be celebrated and authentically embedded into all learning areas to enrich the lives of the Lyneham High School community.

We believe that First Nations students have the right to see themselves within the curriculum, culture, and environment of the school.

We believe that developing and maintaining genuine, collaborative, and respectful relationships with First Nations students, families, and local community members is the foundation of our practice, ensuring that every learner thrives in a culture of mutual respect and shared growth.

Teaching with Cultural Integrity

Lyneham High School teaches First Nation’s histories, perspectives and cultures across all curriculum areas and across all year levels. An example of this is, the Deep Time History unit in year 7, and the First Nations Perspectives unit in English in year 9. Students are consistently given opportunities to further investigate First Nations histories, perspectives and cultures through assessment tasks.

Each term, teaching staff attend a professional learning session designed to build cultural awareness, professional capacity and personal confidence. These sessions have included topics such as Acknowledgements of Country, language, cultural integrity self-assessment and planning, and using the 8 Ways pedagogical framework.

Engaging with Students, Families and Communities

The First Nations students who attend Lyneham High School have a wide range of opportunities to engage with their culture and are supported in working towards their aspirations. Our First Nations Student Aspirations teacher and Indigenous Education Officer work together to create meaningful and ongoing opportunities for First Nations students and families.

Some of these opportunities include weekly check-ins, creating a dedicated First Nations Students’ room, incursions to design the landscaping around the Yarning Circle, learning choreography developed by Project Dust, working with the Raiders to design football boots, participating in the Junior Rangers: Engaged Through Culture Program at Birrigai, and contributing to the inner north Cluster Day. Families are regularly invited to join us for afternoon teas or BBQ breakfasts.

Creating a School Culture of Respect

In 2026 Lyneham High School implemented our new house system (pictured above). The four new houses - Dhaara (country), Winyu (sun), Mindygari (sky), and Ngadyung (water) - are the essential elements of Country. These elements are deeply interconnected. In the same way that it takes all four elements to make Country, it takes all four houses to make our school community. We all belong, and we all have a part to play.

We hold annual Reconciliation Day assemblies and NAIDOC Week Assemblies. In term 3 of 2026, Lyneham High School will also hold our first Connections Day - a full day of activities, workshops and games to build student connections to house, celebrate First Nations culture and foster community spirit.