Naidoc week
NAIDOC Week 2026
Although NAIDOC Week was officially celebrated during the school holiday period from 5–12 July, Monash SDS marked the occasion during the first week of Term 3. This national event provided us with a valuable opportunity to celebrate, connect, reflect and learn together.
The 2026 NAIDOC Week theme, “50 Years of Deadly”, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the NAIDOC movement and recognised the strength, achievements and enduring contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Throughout the week, students participated in learning experiences that celebrated First Nations cultures and perspectives.
In Specialist Art, students were inspired by Paralpi the 2026 National NAIDOC Week poster created by Zaachariaha Fielding, a proud Yankunytjatjara artist from the APY Lands in South Australia
Students used the art as inspiration to create their own artworks.
They explored how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists use symbols to tell stories and share knowledge.
Students learned about common symbols, including circles, which can represent a meeting place, yarning circle or campfire, and the upside-down U shape, which can represent a person.
Across the school, teachers continued to incorporate First Nations perspectives into classroom learning through stories.
Storytelling continues to have an important role in sharing knowledge, culture, and connection.
One of the stories explored was Go Home, Cheeky Animals, illustrated by Dion Beasley and set in Canteen Creek in the Northern Territory.
Finally, NAIDOC WEEK reminds us that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives should never only be visible during commemorative weeks. Through our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Monash SDS continues to work towards embedding First Nations perspectives in meaningful and authentic ways for our students ensuring they become a valuable and visible part of everyday teaching and learning.
Because reconciliation isn’t just a week it is something we build together every day.
