Sports

On Wednesday June 4 and Friday June 6 the House Captains ran Reconciliation Week sport rotations for the preps to year 4’s. This was to acknowledge Reconciliation Week with Indigenous created games that have inspired modern sports played today. On Wednesday the preps to year 2’s played in our rotations, and on Friday the year 3’s and 4’s.

Marram House Captains Murphy and Charlotte played the game Keentan. It is a traditional Aboriginal game played by groups such as the Gabi Gabi, Marn Grook and Juwalarai. Culturally, this game provides a means of recreation, social interaction and skill development. This game is also known as “Kangaroo ball” or “Kangaroo play” because not only is the ball made from Kangaroo skin, but when you catch it, you must jump, mimicking movements of the Kangaroo which links to the House theme of the land. It was super popular with the younger kids and they had a great time playing. Murphy and Charlotte really enjoyed the experience, and was a great learning opportunity.

Gurborra ran a game called Kolap which is a throwing game using beans from the Kolap tree. This traditional Aboriginal game sees players try to throw the beans onto hula hoops opposite them, scoring for each bean that lands completely on the target area. Kolap is a fun game that kids in the Tiwi Islands, in the Arafura Sea 80 km north of Darwin like to play. Vedant and Frankie chose this game as it links to Gurborra House as the Kolap beans come from trees which Koalas live. Kolap beans were substituted for bean bags. It went well especially with the juniors, while the seniors were given more of a challenge which they thrived on.

Dulai Wurrung House Captains ran an indigenous game called Borna Jokee. It came from the Indigenous people from parts of Western Australia. Will and Chloe described the game as being like water polo since Dulai Wurrungs House theme is water. In Borna Jokee there is noogars who are the people playing the game, this word originates from Southwest Western Australia. It is a word used to describe who people are. 

Yanggai House Captains Connor and Alma ran a game called Chu boo Chu boo, it was a game the Aboriginal people used to play. This game links to the House theme of the sky as it is a catching and throwing game in the air. The ball used to be made from Wallaby skin. Overall, the Indigenous games with the House Captains was a huge success, as it was a lot of fun and at the same time showed respect for our aboriginal forefathers who have created and played these games over many centuries.

Many thanks Murphy, Charlotte, Vedant, Frankie, Will, Chloe, Connor and Alma.

Mr Todd Pullar