First Nations Garden Design

Our First Nations Garden design pitch has marked a significant milestone in the Aboriginal Content Curriculum (ACCur) program at Wheelers Hill Secondary College. This unique project, undertaken by our Year 9RISE students, integrates learning from Science, Mathematics, Humanities, and Art within an Aboriginal context, offering a holistic and culturally enriching educational experience. 

Throughout Term 2, students have been deeply engaged in understanding the rich heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and traditions. They explored these cultural insights every Wednesday fortnight, applying their newfound knowledge to the various subject areas. This cross-curricular approach has not only broadened their academic perspectives but also deepened their appreciation of Indigenous knowledge systems and their relevance in contemporary education. 

Working in collaborative groups, the students embraced the principles of Design Thinking. They navigated through phases of research, ideation, collaboration, execution, reflection, and presentation. This structured approach allowed them to synthesise their ideas and express their understanding through detailed dioramas, each representing a proposed design for the First Nations Garden. The dioramas showcased their collective efforts, laying out intricate designs influenced by their research and teamwork. 

In addition to the garden

designs, the students also crafted personalised Acknowledgements to Country for Wheelers Hill Secondary College. These acknowledgements thoughtfully incorporated the school's core values of Respect, Creativity, and Excellence, while paying homage to the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation, upon whose land we learn, work, and live. 

The First Nations Garden design pitch was graced by the presence of our Koorie Education Support Officer (KESO), Elder Mark Lumley, Principal Ms. Brisbane, and the ACCur and Marrung Lead, Mr. Razaai. Their participation added a profound layer of authenticity and support to the event. The students presented their designs with great enthusiasm and respect, demonstrating their understanding and reverence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions. 

Elder Mark Lumley and Principal Ms. Brisbane had the challenging task of selecting one garden design and one personalized Acknowledgement to Country from the outstanding presentations. Each group displayed thorough consideration of cultural and traditional elements in a modern context, making the decision a difficult one. The chosen design and acknowledgement reflect the students’ ability to thoughtfully integrate First Nations culture with contemporary educational values. 

Next week, students and supervising teachers will come together for a First Nations Garden planting day. This event will not only bring the selected design to life but also mark the culmination of a term of dedicated learning and collaboration. We eagerly anticipate seeing the completed garden at the end of Term 2, just before we embark on our mid-year winter school break. 

Stay tuned for the unveiling of our First Nations Garden, a testament to the hard work and cultural respect fostered through this innovative program!  

Khairi Razaai 

ACCur and Marrung Lead