NAIDOC Week

MONDAY 20 JUNE- Acknowledging and Valuing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Peoples History and Culture

At our assembly on Monday 20 June, we will be acknowledging NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC Week is one of many First Nations Peoples events which occur each year to acknowledge our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.  

As NAIDOC Week falls in the school holidays, we are acknowledging it ahead of the event. During NAIDOC Week, events and activities are held in local and wider communities and everyone is encouraged to participate and celebrate our Indigenous Peoples and their heritage.

Koorie education is one of the Department of Education cross curriculum priorities. 

"Victoria will be a state where the rich and thriving culture, knowledge and experience of our First Nations Peoples are celebrated by all Victorians, where our universal systems are inclusive of Koorie people at every stage of their journey; and where every Koorie person achieves their potential, succeeds in life and feels strong in cultural identity.”  

Vision statement Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan 2016-2026

Murrumbeena Primary School is proud of our Indigenous heritage. We show respect to our First Nations Peoples through the Acknowledgement of Country at school assemblies, meetings and in classrooms. 

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, on 13 February 2008, in which he expressed regret for past government policies that resulted in the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families, is displayed in our foyer area. 

We proudly display the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in our school grounds, in our foyer and at formal events. We have recently established an Indigenous garden as part of our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program. 

Our Year 3 students have recently made signs saying ‘wominjeka’, meaning welcome in Woiwurrung Language of the Wurundjeri People of  the Kulin Nation, the traditional owners of the land on which we gather. 

Staff have participated in Cultural Understanding and Safety Training providing an opportunity to develop school capabilities and confidence with Indigenous Peoples cultural inclusion. 

We are proud to teach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education throughout the 7 years of primary school as an integral part of our IB PYP units of inquiry. 

Our students are highly engaged and interested when learning about the culture, perspectives and historical events which have impacted our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This supports the development of open minded, caring and knowledgeable students who respect and appreciate our Indigenous heritage.

There is a link to our Murrumbeena Primary School Indigenous Education Overview which is available on the school website. 

Angela Houghton

PYP Coordinator