Indigenous Education

Guwaa-li, Speak Out!

This dry country of hills and rocks has cared for the Gomeroi people for thousands of years. The soil we walk on and the river that we fish in give life to the people. Calrossy is on Gomeroi Country where we live, learn and grow, just as the Gomeroi people have for many generations. We acknowledge God, the creator, and are thankful for the blessing of the land and the people.

Christmas is almost upon us, as is the busiest time of the year. As I finish my second year as Co-ordinator I’m very thankful for the students and the community that I am privileged to be part of. As a non-Indigenous Australian I am sincerely concerned about how I can be part of closing the gap and truly support and care for my Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters. Helping First Nations students get an education, build in self-confidence and consolidate skills that are useful for the future is a privilege that I’m grateful for.

I have been so proud of our students this year. They have participated and grown and shone in so many ways. I’ve been especially delighted by the leadership shown throughout the last two years from Beau and Evey, who have graduated Year 12 and await their HSC results. These two young women have set an excellent example for the younger students to follow and we are already missing them.

Drawing Us Together

In early September four Junior School students attended the Winners Ceremony for a project called “Drawing Us Together” run by Tamworth Square. Each of the students had submitted an illustration for a book written by Bianca F Stawiarski, called Gami Winda and Dyindi-Dyindi.

The winning pictures were chosen when shoppers voted for them during NAIDOC week. The book has now been printed and copies given to the winners and the school.

Uncle Nev Sampson gave a welcome to country and presented the framed drawings and certificates to the students before they enjoyed cupcakes with the winners from the other schools.

There was a lot of excitement from our four artists, Anaya, Asta, Joseph and Lauren who were very proud to have their drawings printed in a book that celebrates Aboriginal culture.

Wellbeing & Mentoring

Caring for the wellbeing of our students is always a priority at Calrossy. There are many challenges in childhood and more still for teenagers. Monitoring the wellbeing of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is a high priority and I am looking to step up our actions in this area in the coming year.

We were visited by an Aboriginal Psychologist and researcher, Maddison O’Gradey-Lee, during Term 3 and she interviewed a number of our students and ran a wellbeing workshop. Her input and encouragement was hugely valuable and I look forward to sharing her findings and providing more tools to students as her work is further developed.

Krystle Lamb from Gomeroi Education & Training has been visiting the School every week to encourage our students. She is a proud Gomeroi, Wiradjuri woman from Quirindi. During these sessions the young women were able to participate in yarning circles in a safe and culturally nurturing space. Whilst yarning they created artworks representing ''Strong Women'' in their lives. Mums, Nans, Aunties and Teachers all were appreciated through art. The artworks will now go into a community art exhibition and the

families of the young women are invited to attend the official opening of the exhibition and the program launch. The artworks will be on display from today (Monday,  December 4) 5pm until Friday,December 8 2pm at Tamworth UNE building Fitzroy Street Tamworth.

There will be a Community Choice Artwork awarded at the conclusion of the exhibition, and Gomeroi Education & Training team will select one artwork to become the Ngaar Wirribiiyan Program branding package. The Artist of the artwork selected as the branding, will collaborate with local Gomeroi artist Kayleb Waters, in digitalising the painting to be used as the art for the Ngaar Wirribiiyan program.

Year 3 History

There was a lot of excitement amongst Year 3 in Week 7 as they had the opportunity to learn about local Aboriginalculture for their Historyunit. We were able to go out “on Country” at the Gomeroi gardens at the local Tamworth Botanical Gardens. Kalelia, Ben and Karwin, our local Walaaybaa Rangers, led the students in dance, language and learning about Indigenous plants that are used for food and medicine. Reuben and Hank also joined us to tell a story in Gamilaraay language, show us rope making, artefacts and share the importance of the river. We got the opportunity to taste home-grown quinine, Gadibundhu (Ga-dee-boon-doo), made by Reuben, a plant used for making tea that lowers blood sugar. 

The taste was... actually, just ask a Year 3, and they’ll tell you! At the end of the day we listened to Gararrngan Yuulngin-ban.gaan, also known as The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

I hope you have a blessed break and joyful times celebrating Christmas. I look forward to being in touch with you all again after the break.

Hannah Pollard