SBS Learn Content Highlights for exploring January 26 in the classroom

January 20, 2025 / By SBS Learn

Logo for NITV's Always Was, Always Will Be

Australia’s national holiday, Australia Day, is marked on January 26. It’s a date of significance for many Australians, which for some people may prompt discussions and debate about Australia’s history and identity.  

The SBS Learn team have collated useful resources to help explore this topic in the classroom, to assist in deepening understanding of January 26 and First Nations perspectives, and guide respectful discussions around Australia’s history.  

The best place to start is by reading our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols Guide – for Teachers. Authored by Wonnarua and Kunja woman, Shiralee Lawson, and Wiradjuri woman, Jarin Baigent, this guide is essential reading for educators when exploring First Nations perspectives, histories, stories and peoples. This guide takes roughly 10-12 minutes to read and helps to create a culturally safe and informed learning space for all leaders.  

You may wish to share the following SBS and NITV articles with your class to explore the history of Australia Day, and different perspectives on how it is celebrated and observed.   

Teacher Resource highlights

The Point hosts, JP Janke and Rachael Hocking

Why not explore NITV’s The Point – Stories from the Shore, a teacher resource that uses short clips from the episode. It focuses on the viewpoints of First Nations people watching from the shore as Captain James Cook landed in Australia. It will help to support discussions around the ongoing impacts of colonisation and January 26/Australia Day.  

Warwick Thornton on the set for his new film about the political connotations of the Southern Cross, We Don’t Need A Map.

Also, Reflecting on the Southern Cross teacher resource is another way to engage Years 7-10 students to help guide thoughtful discussions around January 26/Australia Day and Australian identity. Based on the NITV documentary “We Don’t Need a Map”, directed by international award-winning screenwriter and cinematographer Warwick Thornton. This resource was developed in partnership with Reconciliation Australia and Barefoot Communications.  

Illustration of James Cook with Steven Oliver standing nearby

Another way to explore respectful conversations around Australian history is through the NITV documentary “Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky”, presented and co-written by Steven Oliver. SBS Learn partnered with The National Maritime Museum to produce this resource Cook’s Arrival from First Nations’ Perspectives.  

NAIDOC Week

Another great place to learn more about First Nations cultures, histories and perspectives is through our NAIDOC Week offerings over the last five years. We have a range of resources for different types of learners from Foundation to Year 10, including suggested reading and a variety of learning activities.  

To continue your professional learning journey head to NITV’s Muy Ngulayg streaming hub dedicated to First Nations storytelling. Explore Blak movies, TV series and documentaries from Australia and around the world that illuminate inner knowledge, traditional culture and lore.