House Team Shirt Launch
Last Friday 13th September we officially launched our ENPS House Team and PE uniform with a special assembly and Smoking Ceremony. We are so proud of our partnership with Narungga/Kaurna and Trawoolwaway artist, Daen Sansbury-Smith and through the support of PSW Uniform Group, that we have these amazing shirts to wear.
As previously communicated, students may now wear their house team shirts on the allocated PE specialist day for their class, or on our house team event days. To assit families, we have attached a whole school timetable for Term Four PE classes below:
Thank you to our Marrung staff team for their passion and commitment to this project. Thank you to the Wurundjeri Council and elder Perry Wandin for leading our Smoking Ceremony. Thank you to all of our VIPs, School Councillors and local community partners and advocates, and to our incredible school community for their contributions and ongoing support.
Well done to our School and House Team Captains for leading our assembly and reflections. It was such a proud day. We love what we do at ENPS and everyone belongs.
Please enjoy the beautiful photos plus further information about this special project below.
At Essendon North Primary School there is a strong history of sporting house teams. ENPS officially opened in 1920 and in 1935 the first house teams were introduced; Fawkner, Henry, Batman and Flinders. In 1960 the house teams were re-introduced as Lawson (yellow), Paterson (Blue), Gordon (Green) and Dennis (red). In 1998 the house names were again changed to Earth (green), Fire (red), Wind (yellow) and Water (blue).
Over the years, the house team names became less and less familiar and by early 2000s- 2010, they were primarily known just by the four colours. In 2020 we began the quest to reignite our school house teams once again. It was during this time however, that the suggestion was made to connect the house team names to our First Nations people and the traditional custodians of the land our school was built upon; the Wurundjeri people.
With that, we investigated the Woi-wurrung language and made contact with the Wurundjeri Council to gain translation and then permission to use the Woi-wurrung words for the four elements of country; earth, wind, fire and water. And so our house team names became Biik, Gurrin, Wiin and Baan in 2021.
It was throughout 2022/23 that our plan to build upon and enrich the meanings, relevance and connection to our house teams took further action. As a Marrung Team, staff began to investigate opportunities for funding to support the engagement of a First Nations artist to help visually connect our students, staff and families to the four elements of country. Through Ms Ryan’s connection to Narungga/ Kaurna and Trawoolwaway artist, Daen Sansbury-Smith, we began a truly inspiring and remarkable partnership.
Wiin (Fire- Red)
We are Wiin house, we represent fire. Wiin gives us light and warmth. We are grateful for the fire we have, and connect with our fire by sitting around campfires while connecting with other people. Aboriginal people used fire to help regrow and protect our earth. We need fire to our cook our food, warm our homes, light candles and create energy. We are Wiin.
Gurrin (Wind- Yellow)
We are Gurrin house, we are connected to the wind. The wind is connected to country because it spreads the beautiful seeds that fall from the trees and allows amazing plants to grow into vast fields. When the wind blows on our faces, we feel a sense of calm and a clear mind. We are Gurrin house. We are connected to the wind, which is connected to our country.
Baan (Water- Blue)
We are Baan. We represent the water. The water is connected to the country because it flows through the river, ocean and lakes. Water flows through the roots of the earth and the water strengthens the plants and the trees. Water energises the animals by nourishing with a healthy hydrating drink.
We are connected to the water because we drink it and we use it to live out our daily life. Water helps out with our food sources and helps give animals a home. We are Baan. We are connected to country.
Biik (Earth- Green)
We are Biik House and we represent earth. The earth has been here since the beginning of time so we should respect it with all our care.
People, animals and plants all rely on the earth. Biik is the foundation where we build buildings and homes to live in.
We are Biik, Baan, Gurrin and Wiin, we all connect to country.
