Culture

Wii Gaay Camp Report

Aboriginal Education Assistant, Miss Daisy and Year 4 student, Ellie Mathers recently attended a Wii Gaay Camp at Coffs Harbour Adventure Centre from 15 –19 June. Wii Gaay means “clever kid”, and the camp provided a valuable opportunity for Aboriginal students to connect with culture, Country, learning and community in a supportive environment.

Throughout the week, Ellie participated in a variety of activities and learning experiences. One of the key learning activities involved researching and writing an information book about an Australian animal. Through this activity, Ellie developed skills in researching, organising and presenting information. She will continue working on her information book during school Google Meetings and the next Learning Hub in Term 4, where she will focus on illustrating her work and bringing her ideas to life.

Ellie also participated in a range of on-Country experiences, providing opportunities to connect with the natural environment and develop a deeper understanding of the importance of Country and Aboriginal culture. These experiences supported Ellie’s cultural learning and encouraged a greater appreciation of her Aboriginal identity and connection to Country.

Another highlight of the camp was the opportunity for Ellie to make new friends and build positive relationships with other Aboriginal students. Participating in shared activities and experiences helped Ellie develop a sense of belonging and connection within the group.

Overall, the Wii Gaay Camp was a positive and enriching experience for Ellie. She engaged in educational, cultural and social activities while developing new friendships, strengthening their cultural knowledge and building confidence. The camp provided meaningful opportunities for Ellie to learn, connect and grow, both personally and academically.

Ellie recently recently gave a presentation to her class about her experiences at the Wii Gaay camp.

Speaking with confidence, she shared the exciting activities she took part in, the unique experiences she had, and the fascinating new things she discovered during her time away. Her enthusiastic talk gave everyone a wonderful insight into camp life and clearly showed why she enjoyed the experience so much.