Koorie Education
& Engagement
We acknowledge the Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which our College stands, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
It's been a busy stretch for Koorie Education and Engagement at EMC, and here are some updates!
Scholarship success
In June, 3 EMC Koorie students were presented with Marrung Education Scholarships, across the 2025 and 2026 rounds. Only 30 of these scholarships are awarded across the whole of Victoria each year, so having 3 EMC students walk away with one is an outstanding effort. Marrung scholarships sit within the Victorian Government's 10 year Aboriginal education strategy and are awarded to Koorie students who show strong potential in their chosen pathway, taking into account academic achievement, community involvement and future goals. A huge congratulations to Jeff, Koby and Nevaeh!!
Student voice on sub school renaming
Koorie students also took part in a focus group for the sub school renaming project. To be clear, the school itself isn't changing its name; what's under review are the sub school names, first introduced in 1985, not long after the school's own journey from Langwarrin Post Primary School, to Langwarrin Secondary College, and finally Elisabeth Murdoch College in 2004. As our understanding of Aboriginal language and cultural protocols has grown, we want to make sure the names we use are accurate and genuinely respectful to the Bunurong peoples. The focus group's role was to explore ideas, themes and preferences only. It wasn't a decision making session, and final naming authority sits with Bunurong Elders and Traditional Owner representatives, who we're working with in partnership throughout this process. Thank you to the Koorie students who took part, for so generously sharing their perspective.
NEW: Melbourne Storm & NRL Victoria School to Work Program EMC has formed a new relationship with Melbourne Storm, and we're now one of fewer than 15 schools across Victoria taking part in NRL Victoria's School to Work Program. The program supports Koorie students in Years 10, 11 and 12 with career planning, mentoring, work experience and job readiness, using the pull of rugby league to help open doors. |
Acknowledgement of Country in the arts
Koorie student voice has been front and centre at two of our biggest events recently, with students recording the Acknowledgement of Country for both the PAC Semester 1 showcase and the 2026 Production. Hearing EMC Koorie students open these events in their own words is something the whole school community can be proud of. Congrats Peyton and Nevaeh!
A space of their own
Another real highlight lately has been the return of the Nyarrn-gakgo mangkie team. meaning “hear within”. Delivered in partnership with Weenthunga Health Network, the program gives First Nations young women, sistergirls and gender diverse students a dedicated space to yarn, strengthen their connection to culture, and start thinking seriously about future study and career pathways in health and wellbeing.
Filming for Department of Education
As part of the 20th anniversary for the Victorian Education Excellence Awards, EMC staff, Koorie students (current and alumni) and KESO were involved in filming a feature story about KELiS (Koorie Emerging Leaders in Schools). Last year, KELiS won the Outstanding Koorie Education award in the team category, as the lead school bringing together 15 other schools in the Bayside Peninsula Area to collaborate on opportunities to support leadership for Koorie students.
Building connections locally
Beyond our own gates, we joined the Term 3 Central Peninsula Marrung Community of Practice meeting, linking up with staff from schools across our local network to share ideas and keep building better outcomes for Koorie students right across the Peninsula.
Families may also notice a change to how EMC students take part in the Koorie Youth Summit this year. Delivery of the Summit is now organised through the Education Liaison Officer (ELO) position, based on zoning across the Peninsula. Langwarrin's zoned ELO and Gathering Place is Nairm Marr Djambana, an organisation we already have a strong relationship with. Nairm Marr Djambana doesn't run an equivalent Youth Summit event, so we want to thank Willum Warrain for their support of our students in past years, and we'll keep building on our existing connection with Nairm Marr Djambana going forward. This zoning only affects how the school organises its programs. Families and community members are always welcome to connect directly with any Gathering Place, including Willum Warrain.
Looking ahead
We're also hoping that, before the end of term, EMC Koorie students will have the chance to visit LPPS, after being invited by LPPS Koorie students for a yarn. It's a great opportunity for our older students to connect with and mentor the next generation of Koorie learners in our community.
Some students have also been invited to the Melbourne United launch of the NBL Indigenous Round by Uncle Ricky Baldwin.
SAVE THE DATE
EMC Koorie Christmas - Thursday 10 December, 9.15am (for 9.30am start)
If you'd like to know more about any of the above, or want to talk about the Melbourne Storm/NRL Victoria School to Work opportunity for a Year 10, 11 or 12 student... please reach out to Stephanie Raike (stephanie.raike@education.vic.gov.au)