Exciting Opportunities with First Nations Communities

Exciting Opportunities with First Nations Communities

Grade 4 Djirri Djirri Incursion

On Wednesday the 11th of May, CHPS was privileged to welcome Mandy Nicholson and 

Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward from the Djirri Djirri, Wurundgeri Women’s Dance Group. Grade 4 students were treated to Cultural Knowledge, dance and Woiwurrung language. 

Knowledge of First Nations language, people and Culture has been a priority learning area for the Grade 4 team which meant that the students were able to engage with Mandy with quite a body of knowledge behind them. Mandy commented that she was very impressed with the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of our Grade 4 students. 

School Production

It has been our aim to have a strong focus on First Nations Australia in our upcoming school production. The team working on this project has focussed on establishing creative relationships with First Nations families at CHPS and Arts practitioners who may be willing to help us develop a musical production that celebrates First Nations Culture. To facilitate this process, we successfully approached the Education Department for a grant. 

We are very excited to be working with Glenn Shea, a playwright and Board Director of Ilbijerri Theatre Company. Glenn is working with John Leary, a parent at CHPS and a writer and actor, to develop a piece tailor made for our school. Mandy Nicholson has also agreed to consult to give us the required authority to use Woiwurrung language. Our Grade 4 teacher, Kate Denborough has also made an enormous contribution to the writing team.

Sophie Gammon, Kate Denborough and I have worked hard to progress this project to this point, and we are very grateful to Megan and Susan for their enthusiastic support. We are hoping that this project will engender a lasting connection with First Nations communities for our school. 

Here are the production dates for your diaries:

Excursion to Baker Boy Concert

We are very excited to be attending a free concert by First Nations rap artist, Baker Boy, on Thursday the 9th of June. Grades 4/5 and 6 will be travelling to the Concert Hall for this special performance. We have been learning about different First Nations musicians in Music, and Baker Boy has been a clear favourite of the students, so they are very enthusiastic about seeing him live.

Ilbijerri Theatre Youth Mentorship Workshops

On the 15th of July, Grade 6 students will be participating in a whole day drama workshop. The workshop will be run by emerging First Nations actors and writers who are participating in a mentorship at the Ilbijerri Theatre Company. 

Roz Girvan

Classroom Music Teacher (Grades 4/5/6)