Year 7s and 12s First Day

On Wednesday 28th January, we welcomed our Year 7s and welcomed back our Year 12s for a first day filled with culture and fun. We were joined by the Hon. Mark Dreyfus and the Hon. Nick Staikos, who came to show their support for our students and the Cheltenham Community at large.

The two year levels participated in a traditional Smoking Ceremony performed by Uncle Mark Brown from the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. Mark performed the Welcome to Country and explained the meaning of a Smoking Ceremony and how they are traditionally performed by Indigenous people for weddings, funerals and births, and its purpose of healing and cleansing. 

The purpose of this annual event is for our Year 7 and 12 students to not only learn about the significance of a Smoking Ceremony, but also to cleanse for the year ahead at the beginning and end of their secondary college journeys.

After the Smoking Ceremony, the students enjoyed a BBQ lunch and icy poles and got some great photos at the photo booth.  

We hope the student's first day and last first day of secondary school was a memorable one!