Koori Club

 We are proud to share the wonderful work happening in our Koori Club.  By connecting with our culture we are building a sense of pride in our identity.  We meet once a week to share art, language, stories and music. We want to grow a strong sense of belonging and respect across our school community.

Lhmyah discovered her weaving talents.  Weaving connects Aboriginal people to culture, Country, ancestors, and tradition, passing down knowledge through generations.

Koori Club attended Cumberland Council's Schools Reconciliation event on the 2nd of May.  Our students displayed their cultural pride through Ochre face painting.  Ochre face painting is important for ceremony, identity, connection to Country, and honouring ancestors and spiritual traditions.

The Reconciliation event was a great way for our families to spend quality time together. Family connections are vital for growing a strong cultural identity, knowledge sharing, and maintaining strong ties to land and community.

We have been learning to play traditional games at Koori Club.  In this game of In Wana, players  run in relay-style races, promoting teamwork, speed, and coordination. Variations of this game have been played by different Aboriginal groups across Australia, sometimes using spears or other traditional items in the relay.

Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to reflect on the past, learn about shared histories, and take steps toward respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community. It promotes truth-telling, justice, and meaningful change.  It marks two key milestones:

• 27 May 1967 – the referendum that allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be counted in the census.
• 3 June 1992 – the Mabo decision, which legally recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' connection to land.

Scan the QR code to enjoy a wonderful story beloved by many GEPS students. Perhaps you can use it to start a conversation this Reconciliation Week.