Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
Term 4 Events
We are very pleased to announce a number of activities being offered to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous students this term. Information regarding specific activities will be shared via Enews and Facebook.
Aboriginal Dance Workshop
On 26 October, ten students from Years 3 to 6 will have the opportunity to participate in a one-day workshop for Aboriginal students at Coniston Public School exploring contemporary Indigenous dance and movement. The energetic and engaging workshops will be run by a team of experienced First Nations dance tutors in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education Arts Unit.
Sharing Knowledge Program
On 16 November, four students from Years 3 and 4 will have the opportunity to participate in an Enrichment Program for First Nations students at Wollongong Art Gallery. There, they will join Gunai author and artist, Kirli Saunders, for a creative connection to Country. Students will learn about Kirli’s creative practice and create visual poems experimenting with a range of mediums, including cyanotypes (sun prints), poetic collages and painting.
Gumaraa Workshop
On December 5 and 6, students from K-6 will be taking part in Gumaraa workshops. Students will participate in a variety of immersive cultural activities focused on connection to Country based on the traditions of the Dharawal and Yuin Nation.
Connecting with Aboriginal Students, Families and Communities Professional Learning
On Monday, staff at Oak Flats Public School participated in an afternoon of professional learning run by our former teacher, Racheal Morgan who is currently relieving Aboriginal Education and Wellbeing Advisor at Warilla Education Office. It was great to welcome Racheal back to our school and have a yarn!
Staff participated in activities and learning where we explored protocols and strategies to engage with Aboriginal communities and develop authentic relationships as well as exploring local Aboriginal organisations. It was a very important time for our staff to reflect on our journey as a school and plan for a future of positive partnerships with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, parents, carers and community. It was also another opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to improving the educational outcomes and wellbeing of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students so that they excel and achieve in every aspect of their education. We thank Racheal for her time and look forward to having her back at her second home again soon!
Mrs Chatterton on behalf of the Aboriginal Education Committee
Storytelling
Preschool have been exploring different ways of telling stories. As the people of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations are some of the oldest storytellers on Earth, we looked at how they told stories in the past as well as today. The preschoolers learnt to tell stories through books, songs, dance and movement, art, props, the internet, and yarning. Through this experience, we (the children and educators) all have a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nations’ ways of knowledge and being.
Sarah Beesley
Teacher
Oak Flats Public School Preschool
