KELiS | @ Dromana S/C

Koorie Emerging Leaders in Schools @ Dromana Secondary College

On Thursday 7 May, five students from Frankston High School had the opportunity to attend the Koorie Emerging Leaders in Schools (KELiS) program which is a termly collaboration between a community of local secondary schools designed to build connection and leadership amongst First Nations students.

This term, we travelled down to Dromana Secondary College and were treated to a fantastic day full of of activities and speakers, kicking off with a smoking ceremony from Uncle Josh West and a keynote speech about leadership from Aunty Jill West. From there, we rotated through three awesome workshops - exploration of local indigenous plants and a fire making techniques led by Nairm Marr Djambana, a respectful relationships workshop led by VACCA, and a talk about Treaty from the First People’s Assembly of Victoria. 

KELiS was a great opportunity for our First Nations students to get to know each other and share their connection to culture, expand their community, and build their leadership in the context of First Nations peoples’ rights and responsibilities. 

“One thing I learnt from KELiS is that community lifts you up in ways you can't by yourself” - Oliver Hallam, Year 12.

Excitingly, Frankston High School will be hosting KELiS in Term 3 and we look forward to all our First Nations students, and those from other schools, being involved in what is sure to be a fantastic day.

Ms Paige Jessulat

Head of Connectedness