Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander News 

Gulbiyaay (welcome)

Welcome to our school - 

Gulbiyaay dhirrabaa-ga ngiyaningu!

Welcome to our room - 

Gulbiyaay ngana-ga ngiyaningu! 

Learning from Our Elders

On Wednesday, we had several Elders come into school to help us prepare for our Curry Night. Students learnt how to make Fried Scones and Johnny Cakes with our Elders. They learnt how to make the batter right through to the cooking process. We learnt a lot and appreciate their time, guidance, and tips.

Weaving 

Naylarnii and Jaylah planned weaving and beading for the NAIDOC activity on Tuesday Term 2 Week 11. In Jaylah’s absence, Amarni stepped in to help coordinate the activity. We’d like to thank Mona Fernando for coming in to weave with our students. It was fabulous to have a community member engage with us for this Year 10-led NAIDOC week activity. 

NAIDOC Touch Football 

On Wednesday of NAIDOC Week, St Philomena's Secondary students went up against Moree Secondary College to compete for the Munro Shield. St Philomena’s are proud of their win, which was 2-0! Before the grand final that won us the shield, students played 4x10-minute rounds. Thank you to all of the referees, students who played and/or refereed, and parents, family, grandparents, and carers who came to support the students.

Furthermore, a huge congratulations to Jannarli Brennan who was announced player of the games, recognised by every referee for his positive attitude and fairness towards other players. He was presented with an Aboriginal Art Steeden Football. 

Keep up the great work Jannarli!

In the canteen serving a sausage sizzle were some of St Philomena’s students including Lachlan, Lila, Dakota, Harlee and Prue. A huge thank you to those students for their participation in the NAIDOC touch; keep the sausage sizzle running smoothly!

YAAMA SIGN 

Year 10 students designed, created and decorated a Yaama sign ready to greet parents, carers, grandparents and other community members to your NAIDOC touch and Family Curry Night. Thank you for this!

Face Painting 

On Thursday during NAIDOC Week celebrations Year 9 & 10 students spent their recess and primary lunch face painting their peers and younger students. Thanks to Xavier, Marley, Caitlin, Harlee, Isabella, Jaydah, Lila, Dakota, Stella, Audrey and Kourtney for your amazing interactions with the younger students. It was amazing to see this connection between K-10 students.

Deadly Australian Presentation 

Our Year 9 & 10 students have been a massive help throughout this week getting decorations, recess activities and other NAIDOC information posted around the school. Without the help of our students, some of these displays wouldn’t be possible. Their creativity, organisation and commitment to sharing culture has been amazing to see. 

Wednesday Games 

On Wednesday of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, Fallyn Hook from Centacare brought in an inflatable velcro target where students had to throw or kick the ball at the target. 

Thank you Fallyn for this, connecting with our school community during this week. 

Kourtney, a Year 10 student, also ran another game for students during the same recess. This is an Aboriginal game called Kai. Background information is: 

In this game from the Torres Strait Islands, a number of players stood in a circle and sang the kai wed (ball song) as they hit a ball up in the air with the palms of their hands. The game was played using the thick, oval, deep-red fruit of the kai tree, which is quite light when dry.