Indigenous Education

Term 2 Report and Acknowledgement to Country Workshop

Yaama maliyaa, hello friends, 

There are three main areas of focus for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education at Calrossy. They are Culture: creating a welcoming and inclusive school, Community: fostering respectful and supportive relationships and Connected Learning, ensuring that all students are tracking well academically, especially in literacy and numeracy.

In the area of Culture this year we’ve had some fantastic opportunities. The High School boys went to Boundary rock for “On Country” learning with Opportunity Hub mentors Latrell and Matt.

Our girls have been loving the Bumbira weaving group on Wednesday evenings with Taylor Williams. We’ve had Year 9 girls who have been able to learn weaving, participate in dance with Kaleila Thornton and learn Gamilaraay language from Reuben Mellor.

Community has been celebrated with Acknowledgements of Country in Gamilaraay at our formal events, led by Millie Small and Maddi Le Brocq. In a few weeks a group of students will be working with Jayden Kitchener-Waters to create an Acknowledgement that is especially for our school.

We also held Harmony Day assemblies across the school where students shared culture and celebrated the diverse backgrounds that make up our school community.

Students have met with mentors and received one-on-one assistance for wellbeing and growth toward their goals. Brooke’s mentor, Jolene, was able to line her up with driving lessons so that she could get her license and Mehnah spent time creating art after school, something that helps her feel connected to family.

To promote Connected Learning students Personalised Learning Plans for Year 12 and Year 7 have been prioritised. Data is being collected from teaching staff and when NAPLAN data comes in students who may benefit from literacy or numeracy intervention will be offered support. 

Students have also been offered assistance from academic tutors out-of-class time and this has assisted many with getting assessment tasks done on time and improving the value of their homework sessions.

Looking forward, we are making preparations for NAIDOC celebrations in Week 1 of Term 3. The theme “For our Elders” gives us the opportunity to acknowledge and involve family and community members, many of whom have suffered huge difficulties during their lifetime. We value those who have endured, for cherishing their culture throughout their lives and sharing it with us.

All family members are invited to join our Whole School NAIDOC celebration which will be held on at 9am on Friday 21st July in the Bishop Chiswell Hall on the William Cowper Campus.

I am very excited about all that is going on in our school. I am working hard to improve the accessibility of Junior School Students to programs that celebrate culture. We have some special plans for NAIDOC and some High School students who are keen to spend more time getting to know the Junior School kids so that they can encourage and mentor them.

I’m also personally greatly enjoying learning Gamilaraay and really appreciate the work of the staff at the AECG language nest. Jayden, Reuben and Isaiah have all been excellent teachers. They are passionate about reviving language and have inspired our group to really immerse ourselves in learning.

I continue to be keen to hear your feedback and welcome ideas and support. 

Yaluu.

Hannah Pollard

Indigenous Coordina