Students in the Junior School observed NAIDOC week on Friday 30 July, celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We had a wonderful day learning about the importance of Heal Country, the NAIDOC theme for 2021 and participated in activities prepared by class teachers.
It was a fantastic opportunity for students to embrace diversity and to celebrate and develop respect for other cultures.
The morning began with fun and engaging Connections in the Maali Mia Theatre. Students displayed their support by wearing tops of red, yellow, black, green, blue and white – the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. Our guest speaker, Mrs Wheat taught us some Noongar words and shared about the connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to Country and the importance of Heal Country. Mrs Wheat guided students to reflect upon the role they can each play in caring for and healing the magnificent world God created.
Students then moved to their classroom and participated in a range of activities from damper making to sand art, Bible Story dot painting to boomerang decorating. During this time our second guest speaker, Mr Kelly, and Mrs Wheat visited classes engaging with the students as they participated in their activities. Students in Years 3-6 enjoyed an interactive and engaging presentation from Mr Kelly which included a spear, boondi, coolamon and boomerang.
This is what some of our students had to say about the day:
“This term for NAIDOC Day we went to Maali Mia and learned about not wasting the land. After that, we met Mr Kelly and he showed us hunting tools. After, he threw the boomerang. We chose a Bible verse and used Aboriginal symbols to do a dot painting.” – Connor M
“I enjoyed when we got to do dot painting and Mr Kelly came in and talked to us about hunting food. In the morning we went to the Maali Mia and listened to Mrs Wheat. We got to dress in NAIDOC colours. It was so much fun.” – Frankie A
“On Friday we had NAIDOC Day and I liked how we got to do dot painting and had an assembly with Mrs Wheat. She talked about Heal Country. Then, later we met with Mr Kelly and he showed us boomerangs and some hunting tools. He asked us what some feathers were. If you guessed it right, you got a sticker or the feather.” – Makayla D
“Last NAIDOC Day I enjoyed painting digeridoos and learning interesting facts about Aboriginal culture from Mr Kelly.” – Matilda P
“On Friday I enjoyed NAIDOC Day and learning about Heal Country and painting didgeridoos. I also liked how Mr Kelly came and told us about some traditional tools.” – Chloe I
“I liked learning about Aboriginals and Heal Country. We painted some Aboriginal artwork and I painted people sitting around the campfire.” – Patrick T
“For NAIDOC Day we got dressed up in the flag colours. We went for a bushwalk and we found four things and then we put them on a string and hung them up in the classroom. We went to an assembly and we watched Mrs Wheat tell us about nature.” – Kahlan H
Mrs Julia Aland
Teacher / Year 34 Coordinator
