I’m Jayne. I support Australian Early Years Teachers to provide young learners with practical, engaging, differentiated, hands-on learning experiences that are uniquely Australian and include indigenous perspectives.
I’ll help you to cater for the colourful, varied and unique individuals in your classroom – your Little Rainbow Learners!
I acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Australia.
I extend my respect to all First Nations Australians.
I acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Indigenous Peoples and commit to building a brighter future together.
Indigenous Perspectives
Although I do not identify as indigenous, my husband – Dwayne – is of Torres Strait Islander decent. Therefore, our 2 beautiful girls also identify as indigenous. Dwayne’s family belongs to the Badu mob and he is descendant from First Nations Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Malaysian immigrants who came to The Torres Strait to work in the pearling industry many generations ago.
We currently live on Bundjalung Country (the Gold Coast) in Queensland, Australia. We have also lived in Zenadth Kes (the Torres Strait Islands) on Waiben (Thursday Island) where Dwayne and I worked as teachers – Dwayne is an Industrial Technologies (Manual Arts) teacher and I am an Early Years Teacher. Our girls happily attended the Montessori ‘Strait Start’ Playgroup, Kindy, Prep and Primary School while we lived in Community.
I aim to embed Indigenous perspectives and First Nations acknowledgements throughout my work. This is because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are central elements in the spectrum of Rainbow Learners early years teachers serve every day in our classrooms, schools and communities.
First Nations Language Greetings
Maiem (“Hello and welcome” in Meriam Mir, indigenous language of the Eastern Torres Strait Islands.)
Sew ngapa (“Welcome” in Kala Kawaw Ya, indigenous language of the Top Western Torres Strait Islands.)
Kapu goiga (“Good day” in Kala Lagaw Ya, indigenous language of the Central and Inner Western Torres Strait Islands.)
Jingeri (“Hello” in Yugambeh, indigenous language of the Gold Coast.)
…because rainbows represent diversity & optimism.
Jayne Ahmat
