ABORIGINAL LEADERSHIP GROUP – OUR YEAR TOGETHER

Every morning we meet in our Aboriginal Community Room and acknowledge this land, our history and our Elders, past and present. We have all shared stories of our lives and because of those stories and experiences we have learnt a little bit more about each other. We have learnt to support each other and laugh with each other. We have celebrated our successes and helped each other through our struggles.

Our Year 7's joined us after they had settled into ‘Big School’ and have now made connections with our older students. Dominic Dates from the Wollotuka Institute worked with the Year 7's on the iBelieve program and as always the kids were engaged and thoroughly enjoyed the life lessons Dominic spoke to them about.

Our Year 7 Workshops with Dominic Dates and the Wollotuka Institute

One of the highlights of our year was when Archie Roach visited the room and placed his handprint on our wall. His visit and words of wisdom were an honour to listen to. The stories about his life was cause to reflect and acknowledge his struggles, his triumphs and the messages in his music. A big thanks goes out to Archie who took time out of a very busy schedule to come and connect with the room and his contribution in continuing that story of the room will remain in our memories for a very long time.

Archie Roach wrote on our wall

‘Today I am in spirit to be here, inspired and blessed,  Archie Roach 26-4-019’

This year our NAIDOC celebrations were at Gosford Public School and I would like to thank Ella Merritt for her amazing organisation of the day. Our kids were so excited to meet Jonathon Wright from Dhinewan Mentoring and at the end of the day they invited him over to our room to place his hand print on the wall. Jonathon spoke to our kids about the importance of culture and the significance of the room for them as a cultural and learning space and I would like to thank him for his efforts and time spent with us.

NAIDOC Day and Jonathon Wright visiting our room 27 June 2019

This year we formed our Didge group and they have been contributing to many conferences and meetings in the Gosford region. I would like to thank the parents for getting the kids to school for our early morning starts. I would also like to acknowledge Dave Lorimer for his guidance with our Didge boys and advising them on how to play. Most of all I would like to thank Cayden Simmons, Jack Simmons, Izayah Groat, Jonathon Koszek, Nixon Dunn, Richard Newing and Jordan Sibley for supporting each other. I would also like to thank Angel Gould and Sarah Leggett who spoke their inspiring Acknowledgements to Country about the importance of Voice, Treaty, Truth.   

  The Henry Kendall Didge Group on the road!

This year one of our families, the Gordons and Simmons family, welcomed little Makai Gordon, their little baby brother to the world. The family put Makai’s footprint on the wall when he was only 25 days old. Hopefully one day he will be a student here. We also say farewell to our amazing Year 12 students who have guided and supported our younger students through many tough times but most of all fun times. They have been admirable role models and I will miss their beautiful faces every morning and especially Josh Potger’s jokes and shenanigans. I wish them well in the future in whatever they want to do and I know the world is a better place with them out there. Good luck Year 12. 

The Simmons Gordon family and Year 12, 2019 farewell and formal shots

Last month some of our students were lucky enough to participate in an artist workshop with Blak Douglas who is an Archibald Exhibition finalist. His passion and commitment to Aboriginal and social issues that is embedded in his work was inspiring for our kids to hear and see and I thank him for taking the time to tell them about his story and the messages about his culture in his art. Lastly, I would like to say thank you to Gavi Duncan and Alan Herring for their ongoing support and commitment to what we do here at Henry Kendall. Their wise words and knowledge is far-reaching and I am always grateful for their willingness to teach and guide myself and our kids. It is impossible to measure their contribution to our students’ education and knowledge, thank you Gavi and Al.

Blak Douglas with some of our student  

Gavi and Alan at the National First Nations rain at Tacoma on 1/12/19, what a powerful day it was.

Ms Lisa Selsby

Aboriginal Liaison