ACCur - Cross Curricula Program - The Next Step Ahead

The Aboriginal Content Curriculum (ACCur) program is now entering its next phase. Term one was filled with discovery activities that took us on various learning journeys through both incursions and excursions. It all began with an insightful presentation by Jamil Tye, a Yota Yota man from Koorisma Consulting, who guided us on the intricacies and ethical considerations of Indigenising Curriculum in Classrooms. The session was enlightening, providing us with a wealth of information to deliver an Indigenised curriculum with confidence. All participants engaged in deep and meaningful discussions throughout the session. 

Following this incursion, we collectively agreed to build a cross-curricula program across the Science, Mathematics, English, Art, and Technology faculties. This program will culminate in the creation of an Indigenous Garden. The idea was presented as a team proposal to our principal, Ms. Fern Brisbane, who enthusiastically supported the initiative. She expressed her commitment to acknowledging and celebrating the land on which we learn, work, and live. 

During our first excursion, we explored the indigenous flora and fauna at Cranbourne Garden. It was an educational journey that not only introduced us to various indigenous plants and animals but also highlighted the traditional and cultural customs that have been practiced for centuries and remain relevant today. We learned about the significance of the landscape and its ecological systems. 

We also visited the Koori Heritage Trust, where we learned about the history of the Birrarung Marr and its transformation due to the movement of infrastructure since its inception. The Birrarung Marr was shaped by the ancestral creator, Bunjil, the wedge-tailed eagle, which provided food and protection for Aboriginal groups throughout the seasons. The Kulin people, who occupied the Yarra Valley and much of Central Victoria before European colonization, called the river Birrarung, meaning "river of mists." This area often experienced misty conditions before nightfall. 

A Boonwurrung story explains the formation of the river and the creation of Port Phillip Bay on what was once dry land. In this story, Bunjil instructed two young companions to empty out two water containers, which resulted in a great flood that created the Birrarung and Port Phillip Bay. As Wheelers Hill Secondary College is located in Boonwurrung country, we have our Bunjil Centre, complete with totems created by our students in respect of the land we occupy. 

This week, we launched our cross-curricula program in the Science faculty, focusing on the unique flora and fauna of Boonwurrung country. We explored climate, vegetation, and irrigation concepts to develop our proposed Indigenous Garden space. 

In the coming weeks, the Mathematics faculty will examine the garden space from a mathematical perspective, exploring optimal utilization, plant choices, and relevant structures for the garden. All this information will then be visualized through a diorama to be designed and built in the Arts and Technology session. We aim to create several design proposals and present them to the principal and relevant staff members. 

There's a lot of work ahead, and we are thrilled to embark on this new adventure to acknowledge and celebrate Boonwurrung country, the land on which we stand. Stay tuned for further updates on our progress! 

Khairi Razaai 

Visual and Performing Arts Leader ACCur Initiative and Marrung Leader