Wominjeka Ntaria students
Last week, students in 6AB had the privilege of welcoming students from Ntaria (Hermannsburg), a remote community approximately 120 kilometres west of Alice Springs.
A big part of the visit was a celebration of Country, connection and creativity. Students quickly connected over their shared love of sport, particularly football and basketball, as well as through the incredible artworks created by both groups of students. Our Port Melbourne students also learned how to sing Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes in Western Arrarnta, our visitors’ first language.
Sharing art and friendship
Inspired by Albert Namatjira’s watercolour paintings, students from both schools created artworks depicting the places they call home.
Students shared significant landmarks, places and stories, reflecting on the special connections they each have to the Country where they live, learn and play – whether that be Port Melbourne or Western Arrarnta Country.
The exchange celebrated Ntaria’s rich artistic tradition, where painting knowledge and skills are passed down through generations of families and community mentors. You can read more about this tradition and Namatjira’s legacy in the story of the Hermannsburg School of Painting.
The Ntaria students also used cameras to capture their homes and Country, offering our community a glimpse of life through their eyes. Their photographs and both schools’ artworks are currently displayed in the gym windows. Scan the accompanying QR codes to hear students talk about their work and listen to the Ntaria students sharing their Arrernte language. At the end of term, the artworks will be sent to Ntaria to share with their community, continuing the exchange between our schools.
Our Year 6 students loved getting to know their visitors, playing sport on the oval and drawing with chalk together. After school, the visitors headed to Port Melbourne beach. For many, it was their first time seeing the sea. Some of our Year 6 students joined them there, continuing their new friendships beyond the school gates.
Inspired by the work of the Namatjira Legacy Trust, the exchange was made possible through a connection with the Ellis family, descendants of Pastor Albrecht, who supported Namatjira’s early artistic career. We warmly thank our visitors and everyone who helped make this special visit possible.
Expressions of interest: a pen pal connection
We would love to hear from families interested in developing a pen pal connection with students at Ntaria School. Year 6 families are especially encouraged to express interest, and families from all year levels are welcome.
The visiting teachers shared that a pen pal exchange could give their students a meaningful reason to practise reading and writing, and will help improve literacy. It would also offer students from both schools a wonderful opportunity to share everyday stories, learn about life in another part of Australia and build lasting friendships.
If your family is interested, please complete our pen pal program expression of interest form so we can explore the possibility of establishing a program together.
Overall, it was an incredible opportunity to be part of such a unique and meaningful art exchange. The students of 6AB are extremely grateful to have shared this special experience and to have connected with students from another community through art, culture and the things we have in common.