Language & Culture Program

Kii! (Hello!)

We continue to learn about the different sounds in the Woiwurrung language, and depending on students’ year level, the associated letter patterns used to record these sounds. Students regularly practise through fun activities. Many students are showing their amazing skills in reading and writing Woiwurrung words.

Students in F-2 are continuing to learn and practice basic greetings and introductions, some basic conversational phrases and simple classroom commands and requests. The vocabulary focus last term was on animal names and body parts, and this term we are continuing with family and people nouns, singular pronouns, some common verbs, and common adjectives to describe feelings. Students are learning how simple sentences using nouns, verbs, adjectives and pronouns suffixes, are constructed in Woiwurrung.

Students in 3-6 will continue to revise and practice previously learned greetings, conversation phrases, classroom commands and requests. This term students will continue to grow and consolidate their vocabulary knowledge of family/people nouns, singular and plural pronouns. Students will continue to develop their understanding of Woiwurrung being a ‘suffixing’ language. They will analyse formation of words and construction of simple sentences to further develop their knowledge of how suffixes/meaningful word parts are added to base verbs and nouns to show such things as who, where, when.

All students will be learning the names of local plants, particularly those grown in our Native Gardens, as well as common uses of these plants by Wurundjeri people.

A big focus has been placed on building students’ vocabulary in Woiwurrung. An interactive game platform called’ Kahoots!’ was introduced to all classes except for Foundation students and Class 1S. Through this online interactive platform, students are able to play quiz games, which I develop, that are building their knowledge of words and English translations in a highly enjoyable and fun way. Students are always very excited to play these games!

Teachers have also been involved in some Professional Learning, about how to correctly pronounce Woiwurrung words. The aim is for students and teachers to practise basic greetings and classroom commands in their own classrooms. I have uploaded an audio file with a basic greeting for families to listen to and practise at home – students are well versed and can assist family members with this.

Please feel free to come and check out the Koorie Room, and have a chat about what your child is learning. The side door, near the junior play area, will be open on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, between 3.30pm and 4.00pm.

Twaganin! (See you later!)

Aunty Terri