And now a word from
Mrs Richards...
NAIDOC Week
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations histories and cultures and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on Earth. 2025 is the 50th year of NAIDOC and the theme this year is “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy” with a focus on connecting and celebrating the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
As NAIDOC week falls during the school holidays, we acknowledge this celebration during the final week of term. Here is a snapshot of the activities that will take place in each area:
FOUNDATION- Students will read and discuss the book Somebody’s Land by Adam Goodes and Elle Laing. They will learn about Acknowledgement of Country and the fact that we are on Boon Wurrung Land and will create an Aboriginal Flag.
GRADE 1 – Students will celebrate NAIDOC week by continuing to work on their Acknowledgement of Country – Wominjeka (Come with purpose). They will be learning about what NAIDOC week is and that it is the 50th anniversary this year. They will also reading/listen to the Adam Goodes/Ellie Laing book Walk With Us.
GRADE 2 – Students will listen to Kirli’s story ‘Our Dreaming’ followed by discussion to explore the importance of the Dreaming and its place with First Nations peoples. They will investigate the gifts and strengths in the story, including the gifts and strengths of each animal in the book. They will complete a Colouring in page by artist Aleerah Baker. Aleerah’s artwork for NAIDOC 2025 embodies Strength, Vision & Legacy—honouring the past, embracing the present, and empowering the next generation. They will also listen to the ‘River of mist in Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung’ on the ABC podcast series ‘Little Yarns’.
GRADE 3 - students will be creating a poster which demonstrates the learning from their core knowledge unit, ‘We Are One’. Throughout the term, students have explored big questions like: Who lived in Australia first and how do we know? What was life like for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples before the arrival of the Europeans? How did traditional First Nations Australians live sustainable lives? How does The Dreaming help First Nations Australians make sense of their world? Students have also learned more about: ‘Welcome to country’ and ‘Acknowledgment of country’; how ‘The Dreaming’ may help First Nations Australians make sense of their world; languages; the significance and meaning of totems, indigenous art and symbols; the journey of reconciliation with Australia's First Peoples; and how flags, symbols and colours can represent culture. Students will upload their posters to Seesaw and they will be displayed in the classroom.
GRADE 4 – Students will explore the History of NAIDOC week. They will revisit the story, ‘Somebody’s Land’ which was their Mentor text from Term 1and will read ‘Caution…this book contains deadly reptiles’. They will watch SBS videos and participate in discussions around Indigenous people’s use of water & waterways. They will investigate Aboriginal Bush Medicine, looking at links to their Inquiry Unit on how humans benefit from plants. They will design an AFL jumper using Aboriginal symbols and the SRC reps will say the Acknowledgement of Country at Grade 4 forum.
GRADE 5 – Students will listen to a recording of Adam Goodes reading the story Walk With Us. Through the reading of this book students are exposed to the traditional language of the Cammeraygal people from the northern parts of Sydney, New South Wales.
GRADE 6 – Students will complete a book study on Our Home, Our Heartbeat by Australian rapper, Adam Briggs. They will then complete a number of activities such as researching a well known Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
ART - all students from F-6 will collaborate on a NAIDOC display in the Art room. They will make a legacy tree, with different cohorts contributing different parts of the tree. They will look at the NAIDOC week poster and artist and discuss Aboriginal symbols and symbolism in First Nations art.
