Aboriginal Education

KARI Aboriginal Education and Employment Expo

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, a group of Camden High School students attended the KARI Aboriginal Education and Employment Expo, an event dedicated to empowering Aboriginal youth by connecting them with a diverse range of career and educational opportunities.  

The expo featured over 40 exhibitors from various sectors, including the Australian Defence Force, universities, APM Employment Services, Australian Border Force, Borger Crane Hire and Rigging, Botanic Gardens, Legal Aid, Kmart/Target, JCDecaux, Indigenous Allied Health, Dimeo Indigenous, Endeavour Energy, Gamda Engineering, My Gateway, Lendlease, The Hair and Beauty Academy, Sydney Water, TAFE NSW, Commonwealth Bank, Ventia, NSW Fire and Rescue, WHSmith, and many more.  

Students engaged with stallholders, exploring various career paths and gaining insights into potential employment and educational opportunities. The event also provided information on apprenticeships, traineeships, and job-ready skills training, with support from the KARI Employment team.  

Camden High School students represented their school with exemplary behavior, making the most of the resources and networking opportunities available at the expo. 

The KARI Aboriginal Education and Employment Expo is part of KARI Foundation's broader commitment to supporting Aboriginal youth through education and employment initiatives and we thank them for arranging such a worthwhile day for our students. 

ARTucation: Creativity, Culture and Positive Choices 

This term, our Year 7–10 First Nations students, along with their invited friends, participated in the award-winning ARTucation program facilitated by Youth Solutions. Designed to blend creative expression with vital life skills, ARTucation offers a culturally enriching experience that supports young people in making positive choices. 

Throughout the program, students engaged in interactive workshops focusing on harm prevention strategies, mental health awareness and the importance of seeking support. These sessions provided a safe space for open discussions about the challenges young people face today. 

A highlight of the program was a hands-on ceramics workshop led by local Wiradjuri artist Natalie Valiente. Guided by Natalie, students crafted ceramic waratahs, drawing inspiration from the D'harawal Dreaming story "How the White Waratah Became Red", as shared by Aunty Fran Bodkin. This artistic endeavor allowed students to connect deeply with cultural narratives while exploring creative outlets for self-expression. 

The ARTucation program not only fostered artistic skills but also emphasized the power of choosing positive outlets to navigate life's challenges. By intertwining cultural heritage with practical life lessons, students left the program with enhanced resilience, creativity and a stronger sense of community connection. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Youth Solutions and Natalie Valiente for delivering such a transformative experience for our students. 

See below for a series of photos from the event

Reconciliation Week 2025

National Reconciliation Week, observed from 27 May to 3 June, is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This year's theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present, and future, calling on all Australians to step forward together while being guided by the lessons of the past. 

At Camden High School, we are embracing this opportunity by hosting a special event during Week 5. Our First Nations students and keen student leaders will guide a day of bush tucker cooking and cultural learning for students from our feeder primary schools. 

We are honored to welcome Greg Smith from Yama to You, who will share his extensive cultural knowledge and guide our students in preparing traditional bush tucker dishes. This hands-on experience aims to foster understanding and respect for Aboriginal culture among our younger students.