Always was, always will be

Acknowledgement of Country 

Wominjeka! (this means to come with purpose) 

We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Wurundjeri Woiwurung people of the Kulin nation and respect the Elders. We are grateful to be sharing this land that we sing, dance and play and to be waking up in a beautiful country every day. We are making our way through Reconciliation week and this is a good opportunity to explore the theme ‘Now More Than Ever’. We have come a long way in 240 years and it is exciting to be the new generation that celebrates and respects the past, present and builds the new future together.

Natasha, 6A

Reconciliation Assembly: Now More Than Ever!

Last week our school hosted a Reconciliation Week assembly. It was run by the 'Always was,  Always will be' student action team. The theme for this Reconciliation Week was 'Now more than ever.' The reason on why it was this year's theme is because right now we are at the highest point we have ever been for equal rights for First Nations people but there is much more work to do. 

It started off with the Reconciliation Choir and ASPS Guitarists playing and singing Blakfella, Whitefella by Warumpi Band. This was the 2024 Sing for Reconciliation chosen song. 

We had special guests Aunty  Merm (Merilyn Duff) and Uncle Mark Lumley from Murnong First Peoples Gathering Place. Aunty Merm showed us this beautiful possum fur cloak and inside the cloak were pictures of her life that she had  burnt on. She also showed us a beautiful headpiece with emu feathers and a piece of emu egg and also showed us clapsticks. Finally she finished by teaching us the 'Wominjeka' song. It was lots of fun. To finish assembly, we went outside to the smoking ceremony with Uncle Mark.

It was lovely to have many other special guests join us including Kira Peters (KESO - Koorie Engagement Support Officer), Dr Monique Ryan, Councillor Susan Biggar, Youna Kin (Better Health Network), Joanne Shanm (Access Health and Community), some Auburn High students with AP Kristie Satilmis and Ro Bailey, Keith Gove and Michael Nikakis from Stonnington Reconciliation. 

We also had a surprise visit from the Brown family, a Wiradjuri family that used to be at ASPS. You might have spotted Stef Brown's beautiful birdbath and flower pots in the office foyer.

The teachers and special guests had a Morning Tea for Culture, to support VACAA after the assembly. You can still donate a tax deductible donation to our school's Morning Tea for Culture donation page!

https://morningtea.vacca.org/asps

Now more than ever, we hope you continue your reconciliation efforts. Keep listening, learning and walking together.

Tia, Lucy and Alex

Sorry Day at Auburn High

To acknowledge Sorry Day, Mr Wicher, Ms Hui, the Community Reps and the 'Always was, Always will be' team were invited to Auburn High to see the new building and the unveiling of their new Acknowledgement of Country plaque. 

They shared an Acknowledgement of Country in French and translated it into English. It was a beautiful building, there was a well cared native garden in the front and the detail was so precise like the wattle shaped light and the wattle shaped fence.

Finn, one of the school captains, showed us around the building describing the different features. They told us that Aunty Gail Smith and Aunty Julie Anne Oxford, Woiwurrung Elders had helped them with their design. There were even unisex toilets with a rainbow floor and a large mural of the layers of Country as it used to be an old quarry. There were sustainable features including their stairs that used recycled materials.

The science lab is a commemoration for their former principal, Maria Karvouni, who renewed the school. She sadly passed away a few years ago but was also a passionate science teacher.

The building is awesome!

Thank you Kristie, Finn and Auburn High for inviting us, we really enjoyed it.      

Khalissa and Juliet

Marrung Update

It was an honour to be invited to the Ministrial Roundtable and launch of the Strengthening Aboriginal Self-Determination in Education: Campfire Conversations Reflections and Directions Report. 

Our school was one of the Campfire Conversations Conveners holding two campfires in 2022 and contributed to the report - there's even a photo of our campfire in the report! Thank you to Ben Zonca and Marcus Wicher for their support. 

The Inner East Region is proud to report that we have 100% of schools in the region with a staff member in the Marrung Lead role. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Emily Hui

Learning on Country 

Have you read the new signage explaining the Learning on Country painting and some information about Uncle Glenn Loughrey in the office?

Woiwurrung Words of the Week

New word: "Liwurruk" which means sister

Wawa (hello)

Ngoon-godjin (thank you)

Twagannin (Bye)

Can you say hello, thank you and goodbye in Woiwurrung?

Thanks to the KESO team for sharing these Woiwurrung words and slides with us.

First Nation Events + Resources

(Our school is not affiliated with any of these)

Blak ’n’ Blues: Saturday 29th June

6-8:30pm at Murnong First Peoples Gathering Place, 100 High St, Glen Iris.

A gig featuring Fiona Boyes, internationally renowned Blues guitarist, singer and composer, along with our very own poet, Uncle Glenn Loughrey.There will be light refreshment and the chance to meet and yarn before we enjoy e very special night of entertainment. If you’ve never heard live Blues, this is the night to start - with the very best! Mob - no charge, others - $35. Book through Humanitix https://events.humanitix.com/black-and-blues.

Keep the Fire Burning

Saturday 6th July 9am to Sunday 7th July 9am

Murnong FPGP, 100 High St, Glen Iris

Murnong Board member Mark Lumley and Uncle Glenn will bring the NAIDOC Week slogan to life by staying with the fire at Murnong for 24hrs.The aim is to raise awareness of the need to keep working for Reconciliation and Justice by inviting our community to come and have a yarn by the fire. We have a page where donations to support Murnong FPGP can be made on Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/keep-the-fire-burning

Kee'ahn, Music - 21st June

Kee’ahn is a First Nations musician from North Queensland whose name derives from the Wik word meaning to dance, and to play. 

Effortlessly blending the sounds of soul, R&B and pop throughout their music, Kee’ahn weaves lush melodies and words reminiscent of heartbreak and healing. Booking info

Friends of Treaty at Murnong FPGP

Wednesday 19th June, 4:30 - 6pm

Murnong FPGP, 100 High St, Glen Iris

This month Murnong First Peoples Gathering Place are combining our Volunteers and Friends into one meeting. We will be look at the briefing document from the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, “Friends of Treaty for Victoria”. The briefing paper calls us to take make a Pledge as a Friend of Treaty. Discussion will be lead by Georgina and Michael Gartland.

Please rsvp by email to Susan. Light refreshment provided.

R I S I N G    1-16 June

THE BLAK INFINITE Art Installation at Fed Sq

The River Song at sunset, Birrarung/Yarra River

Blak on Track: First Peoples Art Trams Launch- be on the lookout for these trams around Narrm/Melbourne

Have suggestions for this page? Contact Emily Hui.