Cultural News
New - Term 1 Recap
This term has been a busy one for our students at St Mary’s. We had the FIRE Carriers Commissioning and they also attended the National Anniversary of Apology Day.
In the classrooms, Marissa has introduced the Dreaming Garden to our students and has given them a chance to have their say in what should go into our garden. She has also explained the significance of a Smoking Ceremony and saying an Acknowledgement of Country.
Kimberly Watkins (Izel and Merv’s mum) has also volunteered her time to help create 6 art pieces that will be displayed just outside the Art Room. Each week some of our Indigenous students from various classrooms have worked with Marissa and Kimberly to create the background and are now beginning to create the image of the rivers – which could be the Dungala (Murray) or Kaiela (Goulburn) rivers.
Progress
Seven students from Yr 5/6 have also been learning how to play the didgeridoo with Troy Firebrace. They have been learning the correct breathing technique and how to produce sounds with the didgeridoo.
Later in the term, at lunchtimes, the children have been designing a T-shirt for our staff to wear for significant days during the year. Next term we will announce the winner of the design.
We have also been working on our Dreaming Garden design that we will present to whole school early next term.
REMINDER - Opening the Doors Foundation
Opening the Doors Foundation can offer financial assistance in the form of a grant, for school related costs to indigenous students, based on an application.
The school can apply for this grant on your behalf with an Authority Form and a Certificate of Aboriginality or Recognition of Aboriginality form completed and returned to the office, or the link is attached below if you would prefer to apply direct.
https://app.openingthedoors.org.au/
Please find attached an information sheet with the Authority form and a Recognition of Aboriginality form our Koori Educator is able to sign off on if you are unable to locate your Certificate of Aboriginality.
If you require any further assistance, please contact either the school directly, or Koori Education Worker Marissa Kerr.
Thank you,
Naomi Egglestone
Office Administrator
Update - Rumbalara Dental Clinic
The Dental program will run again this year.
We will send out information and permission forms regarding this once we receive them from Rumbalara.
The dental staff will visit our School to complete dental health checks.
Acknowledgement of Country
At St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna we Acknowledge the Traditional people of this land. The Yorta Yorta Nation are the Traditional Custodians of this area and we remember their elders, past, present and future. We remember that the Aboriginal people of Australia will always be the traditional owners of the land on which we gather today. We continue to grow through education and reconciliation to a better future for all Australians.
