Principals Message

Last week was National Reconciliation Week and at this time, I would like to acknowledge the amazing work that the Narrandera High School Aboriginal Education Officers, Joy O’Hara and Braden Lyons, do each and every day. 

The dates for National Reconciliation Week commemorate the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision in 1992. As all Australians move forward, we are creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Indigenous peoples, histories, cultures, and futures. The theme for Reconciliation Week in 2024 is “Now More Than Ever”. 

NAIDOC Day celebrations at Narrandera High School will take place on Wednesday July 24. This day will see all students have the opportunity to engage in some local Wiradjuri cultural activities which will be led by Elders and other members of the Wiradjuri community. 

As Aboriginal Education Officers, Joy and Braden are a pivotal link between families and Narrandera High School. The work with all members of the school community to support the learning, welling and cultural outcomes of students in a supportive manner. Their contribution to the students at Narrandera High School is immeasurable. 

With the introduction of the Wiradjuri Culture and Language classes in Year 8 this year, Joy and Braden have collaborated with Richard Gilbert (Aboriginal Education Officer at Narrandera Public School) and staff at Narrandera High School to develop an engaging and culturally appropriate course.

Joy and Braden are part of a wider team of staff who support students at Narrandera High School. Other valued members of the Aboriginal Education Team are; Effie Williams and Monica Lyons in the Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre, John Ingram and Gary Ingram at the Clontarf Academy, and Student Learning Support Officers Ronnie Williams, Brayden Ingram and Janaya Smith. Narrandera High School thanks all these staff for their efforts to improve the educational outcomes of all students. 

Tania Maddison

Principal