Aboriginal Education Report

Bought to you by WWHS' AEO, Mrs Helen Wenner and Wee Waa AECG's President, Mrs Bernadette Melton.

It has been a busy year, and we have achieved so much together for the students of WWHS. As we wrap up the school year, I wanted to share information about some key events this term.

Binaalbaa Room Breakfast Club

Since moving into the new school, the Binaalbaa Room has proved to be the ideal location for holding our daily breakfast club. Starting at 8.30am, the breakfast gathering is facilitated by Helen and Raylene Slee, our Student Wellbeing Officer on rotation. The students are encouraged each day to come along, have a yarn and something to eat. It's a great way to start the day. We provide a positive environment for all students to gather for a healthy start to the day and to catch up with their friends before bell time.

Transition Day

Wee Waa High School held our second transition on Monday 11th November. The day included discussions to explore students' cultural understanding of the yarning circle. The students also enjoyed a lesson on how to design artwork depicting 'the meeting place' from an Aboriginal perspective. Each student then got to express their understanding of this cultural knowledge using a brush and paint on their own canvas. Many questions were asked, and knowledge was further explored while sitting around our school's yarning circle. This was a very successful cultural awareness activity for our future 2025 students.

Junior AECG

Over the past 2 terms, WWHS students have worked hard to establish a Junior AECG. The committee worked closely with the Wee Waa Local AECG to explore the role of a Junior AECG and to talk about what impact they can make within their school.

Over several workshops, students have been instructed on the roles and responsibilities of the executive positions, ie; President, Secretary, Treasurer, and members. The Junior AECG held a brief session to better understand the process involved in conducting meetings in preparation for next year when they will invite their peers to become members.

Becoming a member of the AECG will help build leadership and communication skills as well as a sense of pride amongst our students. I would highly encourage other students to join and provide feedback on issues and opportunities for exploring improvement in the school environment. Junior AECG committee members include; President Ernie- Green, Vice President- Harmonie Ruttley, Secretary – Zac Phillips, Treasurer – Kristopher Went.

CSIRO Deadly in GenSTEM Program

CSIRO’s Deadly in Generation STEM Program aims to attract and retain more Indigenous students into STEM pathways.

As a partner school, WWHS staff participated in the program this year. Earlier in the year, some staff members attended a professional learning workshop where they were given tools and resources to implement a science inquiry based on cultural knowledge.

Recently we held a reflection session with other partner schools from the region to share experiences and stories on how they implemented the program across the schools. The resources have provided teachers with the information and confidence to embed Indigenous perspectives in their classroom in a meaningful way.

This program has also complemented the student workshops delivered in partnership with the WWLALC and Dr. Angela Pattison. Students have engaged in several cultural workshops, which have helped them gain local knowledge and skills through hands-on activities.

CSIRO STEM Camp

In September, a 4-day STEM camp was held on Country. Three Students from WWHS participated in the camp. Programs like this focus on the empowerment of our students through building Cultural connections, while also highlighting the local STEM opportunities and pathways.

AECG Elects New Executive

At our recent AECG AGM, I was returned to the President’s role, Helen Wenner was elected as Vice President, Caitlin Smith stepped into the role of Secretary, while former WWHS student, Darcy Lang took on the role of Treasurer. Congratulations to all office bearers.

Students From The Illawarra Region Visit

Recently we hosted a visit for students from Sydney's Illawarra region who ventured North West to Wee Waa, Walgett and Lightning Ridge to learn more about agricultural careers and Aboriginal culture and history. The visit was a great success with a number of our students joining the farm visits to such properties as Phelps' Havanah Ag operations.

On the students' first night in Wee Waa, former WWHS student, Ethan Towns kept our visitors enthralled with a show and tell talk about native reptiles and marsupials including a young rescued Wallaby by the name of Thumper that he is hand-raring.

During first semester 2025, WWHS students will travel to Sydney and be hosted by schools in the Illawarra region. The visit will provide our students with the opportunity to explore a variety of career and further education opportunities.

I would like to wish you all the best for the holiday season, and I look forward to continuing to work with WWHS in 2025.