ABORIGINAL

 EDUCATION

JAECG News: Celebrating Culture, Leadership and Looking Ahead 

It’s been an exciting and inspiring Term 2 for our Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (JAECG), with students proudly representing our school and culture through a range of events, performances, and leadership opportunities. 

Earlier this term, 17 students from our Aboriginal Dance Group travelled to Sydney to attend Bangarra Dance Theatre’s stunning new performance Illume, a powerful exploration of Aboriginal connection to light and storytelling. Students have returned inspired and are now engaging in thoughtful class discussions and analysis of the performance. 

Our daycare visits were back for Term 2, with two visits scheduled each term. During the first visit, students performed for the preschoolers, led cultural activities, and collaborated with the children to create a Reconciliation Week handprint canvas, which was gifted to the centre. The upcoming second visit will focus on Indigenous games, continuing to build connections with our community and share culture with younger learners. 

Our Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (JAECG), proudly represented by Georgia S., Chloe R., Kobi M., Dakota M., and Memphis M., recently participated in the termly Leadership Day hosted by Cessnock High School and held at Nulkaba Public School. 

Throughout the day, students engaged in a rich variety of cultural activities, including traditional Aboriginal sporting games, Indigenous art, weaving, and cooking. These hands-on experiences allowed students to further develop their understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture. 

Our JAECG members took on leadership roles, guiding and supporting primary school students with confidence and care. They set a positive example for others, demonstrating strong leadership and cultural pride. 

This event not only fostered deeper relationships with our partner schools within the AECG network but also strengthened our collective sense of cultural identity and community connection. It was a valuable and memorable day for all involved. 

The Aboriginal Dance Group gave a powerful performance at the ConnectED Conference at Rydges Hunter Valley, held for educational leaders from across the region. The students’ professionalism, pride, and passion were met with glowing feedback from principals and staff, who were incredibly impressed with the quality and cultural significance of the performance. 

JAECG President Chloe Ryan spoke at the Cessnock City Council Elder’s Morning Tea for Reconciliation week about what Reconciliation means to her. She spoke exceptionally well in front of a large crowd of community including some local VIPS.

Reconciliation Week

Sea of hands 

Standing Together: Sea of Hands for Reconciliation Week 

In recognition of Reconciliation Week, our Aboriginal Education Team led a powerful and student-driven initiative to promote unity, understanding, and respect within our school community.   As part of the week’s celebrations, a Sea of Hands installation was created — a striking visual symbol of solidarity and reconciliation. Students were invited to take a coloured hand and place it within the display, forming the shape of the Aboriginal flag. This simple yet meaningful gesture allowed students and staff to show their support for our Aboriginal students and broader community.  The display remained up throughout the week, providing an opportunity for all members of the school to pause, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversations about reconciliation and the role we each play in moving forward together. 

This initiative was a beautiful reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of standing together in respect, recognition, and hope for a shared future. 

Murook Culture Centre 1 - GUWAYU: For All Time  

As a part of our Reconciliation experiences, our students went to Worimi Land Council’s culture Centre ‘Murrook’ to see the ‘Guwayu’ Art Exhibition. Guwayu is a shared space for reflection, story, and connection. The artworks explore themes of dispossession, activism, resistance, and cultural continuity - revealing how past, present, and future are deeply interwoven. 

Dream Together

DREAM TOGETHER LEGACY PROJECT 

The Dream Together program announced it’s Legacy project for 2025 which is a woven Eagle (Totem for our area). This project is a collaboration between students, staff and community and was launched during Reconciliation week. 

WOLLOTUKA INSTITUTE – School to Uni steps 

We had Jack Smith from The Wollotuka Institute visit our students to discuss pathways to Higher Education, finding your passion and considering subject selections. 

School to University (S2U) program that aims to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary school students throughout their educational journey. There are three elements to the S2U program including: 

•  iBelieve (Year 7 and 8): This schools-based program aims to plant the seed of ambition for students to begin thinking of their future. 
• Insight Day (Year 10): This campus-based program aims to familiarise students with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entry process (alternative entry); and support students to consolidate their senior subject selections to support their university pathways. 
• UAC Task and Information Session (Year 11 and 12): This schools-based program seeks to inform students about their tertiary options, whether they are taking ATAR or non-ATAR subjects. 

We are incredibly proud of our JAECG, Dream Together and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and all they have achieved this term. Their leadership, cultural pride, and commitment to making a difference continue to inspire our whole school community.