Marrung

Marrung (pronounced: MA-roong)  is the Wemba Wemba word for the Murray Cypress pine tree, representing branches of education and knowledge.

WHAT IS MARRUNG?

Marrung is the name given to the current Aboriginal Education Plan created by the Victorian Government. The plan acknowledges that learning outcomes for all Koorie students are greatly improved with strong partnerships and connections to, and with, their families and communities. Success can also be linked to culturally supportive and responsive learning environments. 

As part of this plan, schools in the Inner East have a designated staff member who is the Marrung leader, providing a point of contact between the school and the region team in relation to implementing the plan and supporting Koorie students at our school. 

At its heart, the Marrung leader role has two focus areas:

1. Helping with the whole of school embedding of Aboriginal perspectives and cultures
2. Supporting individual Aboriginal students, families and communities within WPPS

To assist the school in these areas, we collaborate with the Inner East Koorie workforce, particularly;

Kira Peters - Koorie Engagement Support Officer

Uncle Arbup Peters - Koorie Education Coordinator

Many of our students had the chance to work with Kira last year as part of their challenge in the CBL Big Idea of 'Country'. Our staff also worked with local elder, Arbup Peters, by completing CUST training to learn about how we can enhance cultural safety at WPPS.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOL

Whilst teachers are continually finding ways to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into their teaching and learning program, there are some significant events which have recently occurred and some which are also upcoming. 

Welcome to Country Garden

We have begun to open up our 'Welcome to Country Garden' at the top of the school. It has been lovely to see students connect with Country in this space. We hope to have an official opening soon. 

National Reconciliation Week

27 May - 3 June

The start and end dates of National Reconciliation Week  commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. Each year the National Reconciliation Week committee decides on a theme. The theme for 2023 was 'Be a Voice for Generations'.  The theme encouraged all Australians to consider how they could be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways. 

Students at Wonga Park Primary School used this time to find out more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and consider ways in which they could take action and use their voice to be allies to First Nations People. Throughout the newsletter you will find out about how year levels responded to the theme. 

NAIDOC Week

2 July - 9 July

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year, to celebrate and recognise the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

The NAIDOC week theme for 2023 is 'For Our Elders'. Learn more about the theme in this video:

If you are interested in finding out about events that are happening during the week near you, you can find more information here:

https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-events/local-naidoc-week-events

As the week falls in the school holidays, students will be acknowledging this important week in their classes when they return to school in Term Three.

FIRST NATION RESOURCES

Please keep an eye out in each newsletter where we will share a variety of First Nations resources which might be of interest to your children and you!  

This Book Thinks Ya Deadly! 

By Corey Tutt - Published 7/6/2023

This Book Thinks Ya Deadly! is an inspirational, illustrated compendium that celebrates the diversity and success of First Nations People. 

Written by Corey Tutt, author of The First Scientists, this book features the profiles of 80 Blakfellas who are doing deadly things across sport, art, activism and science, through to politics, education and literature. It showcases the careers and Corey’s personal stories of First Nations People who have done great things in their respective fields, including Professor Marcia Langton, Miranda Tapsell, Tony Armstrong, Dr Anita Heiss, Danzal Baker (Baker Boy), Adam Goodes and Blak Douglas. 

Molly Hunt's deadly illustrations make this book the perfect gift for all ages. A celebration of Blak excellence, it will inspire future generations to create change and leave readers to ponder, ‘What makes ME deadly?’

The First Inventors (New TV Series) - Starts June 15 on Channel 10 and NITV

Watch the trailer:

If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Tim Phillips

Wonga Park Primary School Marrung Leader