Cultural News - Week 2

Indigenous Education

During our Year 6 Leadership teams, some groups of students have been learning about the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country. They have also learnt the protocols of saying both. Protocols for welcoming visitors to Country have always been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Boundaries were clear, and crossing into another group’s Country required a request for permission to enter. When permission was granted the hosting group would welcome the visitors, offering them safe passage and protection of their spiritual being during the journey. Visitors had to respect the protocols and rules of the land owner group while on their Country. Today, while these protocols have been adapted to contemporary circumstances, the essential elements remain: welcoming visitors and respect for Country. Welcome to Country is delivered by Traditional Owners, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have been given permission from Traditional Owners, to welcome visitors to their Country. 

The Year 6s have learnt that an Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country. An Acknowledgement of Country can be offered by any person and like a Welcome to Country, is given at the beginning of a meeting, speech or event. There is no specific wording for an Acknowledgement of Country, it just needs to be sincere and reflect the Country you are acknowledging. 

The students have created posters to share their understanding of an Acknowledgement of Country:

Term 3 - AsheFest - Grades 4 - 6

Such a successful Day 2 at ASHEfest last Term. The Yr 4-6 students enjoyed learning 2 new games - Prun and Jumpinpin. They looked a various artefacts such as emu callers and possum skin cloaks. They decorated boomerangs and keyrings. Finally they had their faces painted and jumped in the Croc Jumping castle. It was a fabulous day.

Term 3 - AsheFest - Grades Prep - 3

Last Term Our Indigenous Prep to 3 students had a fabulous day at ASHEfest on day 1!

Workshops

Girls Indigenous Program

Boys Indigenous Program

Acknowledgement of Country               

At St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna we Acknowledge the Traditional people of this land. The Yorta Yorta Nation are the Traditional Custodians of this area and we remember their elders, past, present and future. We remember that the Aboriginal people of Australia will always be the  traditional owners of the land on which we gather today. We continue to grow through education and reconciliation to a better future for all Australians.