Mooroop Naming
We kicked off Term 3 in style with the much-anticipated Mooroop Naming Assembly. Students, staff and families came together to celebrate our brand new state-of-the art facility being handed over to students, and ready for classes to start taking place.
A key part of the assembly was to reflect on the naming process of the centre and the four spaces.
In line with Department policy, all new government school buildings must have an indigenous name and we were fortunate to have our Koorie Education Support Officer, Lea Jones, hold a Yarning Circle with our Koorie students to listen to their voices and hear their thoughts on what the name should be.
Guided by local Wurundjeri elder, Aunty Doreen, our students chose the name Mooroop which means 'Spirit' and which they believe reflects what it means to be a Wantirna College student. We hope that, in years to come, the Mooroop Centre will be a place that cultivates curious ideas and lively gatherings, giving people in our community an opportunity to connect and come together.
To name the two basketball courts and the performing arts studios, our leaders of PE/Health and Performing Arts conducted surveys giving our school community an opportunity to choose which indigenous artists and athletes they would like our spaces named after. We had a strong response from students, staff and families and we were excited to announce the names last week.
Patty Mills Court - Court 1
A proud Torres Straight Islander and Aboriginal man, Patty Mills is a trailblazer in Australian basketball. As an advocate for Indigenous rights and social justice, Patty Mills has used his platform to create lasting impact. He is also an Olympian and NBA Champion, currently playing in the US.
Ash Barty Court - Court 2
A role model for young Australians everywhere, former world tennis number one, Ash Barty had multiple Grand Slam victories, and is the National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador for Tennis Australia. She is an Olympian and was also honoured as the Young Australian of the Year in 2020.
Rachel Maza Drama Studio
Rachael Maza is a ground breaking woman of the Meriam people of the Torres Strait Islands and Yidinji nation of Far North Queensland. A celebrated actor and director, Rachel is the Artistic Director of the Ilbijerri Theatre Company and has created a national platform with a commitment to First Peoples’ self-determined storytelling. She is a recipient of an Australian Film Industry Award, a Greenroom Award, a Sydney Theatre Critics Circle Award and in 2020 was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.
Ella Havelka Dance Studio
A descendant of the Wiradjuri people, Ella Havelka is known for being the first Indigenous person to join The Australian Ballet and is an alumnus of the Indigenous Australian contemporary Dance company, Bangarra Dance Theatre. She is a Deadly Award and InStyle Women of Sytle Award recipient, and the Founding Director of The Ella Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentorships to First Nations youth in dance.
We finished the assembly with the very first ‘hoop in the Mooroop’ being thrown. Year 11 student, Jayvel Singh, who excels in both sports and performing arts, was given the honour of throwing the very first hoop and he did an outstanding job, nailing his second foul shot with a swish.
Classes in the Mooroop gym started in period 2 and and we look forward to our students enjoying these new spaces in years to come.
Carrie Wallis
Principal