Cultural News
St Mary's School Mooroopna
New - Mitch Tambo Visit
Today we were honoured to have Mitch Tambo, a proud Gamilaraay man, who blends traditional Aboriginal sounds and language with contemporary beats and production. He is a multi-talented recording artist who first stunned the nation when he performed a spine tingling First Nations version of the iconic John Farnham anthem, “You're The Voice” on the 2019 Finale of Australia’s Got Talent. Mitch’s performance was powerful and won the hearts of Australia as well as a host of other countries.
He is a qualified social worker with a passion for diversity awareness, Mitch is a sought-out opinion contributor, commentator and speaker on podcasts, corporate events and an acclaimed cultural practitioner and motivator across schools and for community organisations. A skilled content creator, Mitch produces his own Facebook content series TAMBO TALK and regularly updates content to Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Mitch’s last six songs, as a Sony recording artist, being “You’re The Voice”, “Together”, “Love”, “Absolutely Everybody”, “Dreamtime Princess” and “Heal” have all gone number 1 on the iTunes World Music Charts.
All the students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed listening to his music and were captivated by his dance moves and the use of didgeridoo during his songs.
New - Sorry Day
On Monday the 26th of May marks Sorry Day. As a school, we will hold a Flag Raising Ceremony at 9 am. We welcome back Billie Cooper who will share a smoking ceremony with us and we look forward to hearing from Aunty Ella Anslemi, Riley Atkinson’s nan, who will share her memories of living on The Flats as a young girl.
Later during Sorry Day, our FIRE Carriers and the indigenous students from Gr 5/6 will attend the Sorry Day Commemorative Service at Monash Park in Shepparton at 10:30 am. We invite all those who can attend to join us in reflecting upon what happened to the stolen generation and to understand the importance of reconciliation.
During Assembly we will have our FIRE Carriers share what they have learnt about Sorry Day.
New - Reconciliation Week
During Week 5, we also celebrate Reconciliation Week.
This year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Artist Bee Buttenshaw, a Kalkadoon woman, created the artwork that promotes the theme for this year. She has utilized the image of a native gumleaf, as a symbol of how native plants, known for regenerating after fire, thrive through adversity, which symbolises that this is a time for growth, reflection and a commitment to walk together.
At school, our students will explore this theme through various lessons.
Invitation - Indigenous Family Morning Tea
On Thursday, 29th of May, we will hold a morning tea at 10 am for our indigenous families. And our indigenous students from Gr 3 to 6 will participate making an emu necklace with Aunty Cheryl Bourke. We invite all those who would like to attend to contact Catherine Dyke, for catering purposes. cdyke@smmooroopna.catholic.edu.au
During Reconciliation Week, our students will learn about significant dates that Aboriginal people have successfully protested or achieved a change in society, such as 1969 Referendum May 27th and June 3rd Mabo Day.
On Friday 30th May, students will create a pathway, symbolising the need to move forward with issues that still impact the lives of indigenous people, such as youth in custody, gaps in education, poor health and life expectancy of indigenous people. This will occur on Friday after lunch. Those parents who pick up their children from school are welcome to walk along the pathway and read what our students have reflected upon.
Also on Friday, 30th of May, our FIRE Carriers will travel across to Benalla to represent our school at the Mass for Healing and Justice. It will be held at 11am at FCJ College in Benalla. This is beautiful way to reflect and pray for reconciliation across Australia. If you would like to watch the live stream, there is a QR code to scan in the flyer below.
Significant dates during Term 2 include:
Week 7 - Monday May 26th - Sorry Day
Tuesday May 27th – Tuesday June 3rd – Reconciliation Week
Week 11 - Monday 30th June - Friday 4th July - NAIDOC Week (usually falls during the school holidays July 6th – 13th July) but we will celebrate early.
Workshops
Girls Indigenous Program
Boys Indigenous Program
Acknowledgement of Country
At St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna we Acknowledge the Traditional people of this land. The Yorta Yorta Nation are the Traditional Custodians of this area and we remember their elders, past, present and future. We remember that the Aboriginal people of Australia will always be the traditional owners of the land on which we gather today. We continue to grow through education and reconciliation to a better future for all Australians.
