Cultural Connections Garden

Opening ceremony for our Cultural Connections Garden 

We are thrilled to announce the opening of our brand-new Cultural Garden, a space designed to celebrate and honour the rich history, diversity, and traditions of the Indigenous cultures that are an integral part of our community. 

The opening ceremony on Monday 7 April was a truly special event, featuring a moving smoking ceremony from Kaurna man Ross Allison and his family and presented by our talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and non-indigenous students. 

We were honoured to have Erin Thompson MP, Member for Davenport, join us and officially open the garden on behalf of Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills. 

With guidance over the three terms of the program from Jayson Tyndall and his team from Nature Play SA, Ross Allison an amazing artist/landscaper, Marion Coady for making this happen, Vanessa Ingram, Alan Peat and Nigel who we would like to say a big thank you to for all their support and guidance on the project. 

The smoking ceremony, a traditional practice that has been passed down through generations of Aboriginal peoples, was a powerful way to cleanse the space, invite positive energy, and pay respect to the land. Guided by the wisdom and leadership of our students, the ceremony used the smoke of native plants to create a spiritual connection to the earth and to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land.

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Our Aboriginal students played a central role in sharing the significance of the smoking ceremony, taking the time to explain its cultural importance and the meaning behind the different elements involved. The sound of the didgeridoo, the gentle smoke rising from the fire, and the sense of connection to both the past and present filled the air, leaving everyone in attendance with a deeper understanding of Aboriginal traditions and the importance of cultural preservation.

The Cultural Garden itself is a beautiful, tranquil space designed to reflect the diverse cultures of our school community. It features plants native to Australia, including many used in Aboriginal cultural practices, alongside artwork, the shield presentation and symbols that tell stories of the land's history. The garden will serve as an ongoing educational resource for students, staff, and visitors, a place where we can all come together to learn, reflect, and grow.

We are proud of our Aboriginal students for sharing their culture with the wider school community and for helping to make the Cultural Garden a reality. This space will serve as a reminder of the importance of cultural respect, understanding, and connection for years to come.

We encourage everyone to visit the Cultural Garden and take a moment to reflect on the traditions and stories that shape our world. The garden will be open to all members of the school community to enjoy and explore, and we look forward to seeing it become a hub of learning, respect, and celebration for all.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this incredible event possible. We look forward to more cultural celebrations and shared learning experiences in the future