Ngarri Ngarri Page

New team, who dis?

The Ngarri Ngarri Team has some new faces joining Tamekah, Tahlia and Lena in 2023. We are pleased to introduce you to are Jess (Team Leader), Rihana (Dharnya Senior), Shadelle (Bayuna Middle Years) and Zari (Bayuna Senior).

Please see the flyer attached to find out more about the Ngarri Ngarri team and support on offer for our First Nations students and families.

Meet the team at our Welcome Night BBQ

Please join us for the First Nations Family Welcome Night BBQ being held on Monday, 20 February 5-6pm at the GSSC Community Hub (enter via main building)

This is an informal gathering for students and their families to meet the team, hear from our deadly First Nations student leaders and yarn with other families. Enjoy dinner on us while you hear about what is planned for this year and learn more about the support in place for students.

Introducing our First Nations student leaders

Being our first newsletter for the 2023 school year, we’d like to introduce our First Nations student leaders. This group of students will meet on a regular basis, together with key staff from our leadership team to share ideas, promote student voice and to celebrate and raise awareness of First Nations culture.

Marking the anniversary of the Cummeragunja Walk off

Saturday, just passed, marked the anniversary of the Cummeragunja Walk Off. On 4 February 1939, an estimated 200 residents of Cummeragunja Station walked out to protest the horrible living conditions and the government control of this station they had set up. Those who walked off crossed the Murray River into Victoria settling in towns including Barmah, Echuca and Mooroopna.

We know many of our First Nations families today will have a deep connection to this historical moment – having relatives who took part in the protest and who were integral to igniting the movement that fought for the rights of the Aboriginal community. 

More information: Deadly Story website. 

Shepparton Apology Breakfast

This Monday, some of our College Captains, First Nations student leaders and staff will attend the Queens Gardens for an event acknowledging the 15th anniversary of the National Apology. On 13 February 2008 the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to ​Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generations whose lives had been blighted by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation.

Our student leaders will give a reading at the Shepparton Apology Breakfast being hosted by the Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group, ASHE, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation, Greater Shepparton City Council and the Department of Education / Victorian Government.

Upcoming: First Nations School Council representative vacancy

Our School Council will soon be seeking Expressions of Interest for community members to join the council this year. One of the community member representative positions is reserved for a First Nation representative. 

Further information will be provided as the School Council election process opens up later this month, but if you have any questions in the meantime please contact the school at Greater.Shepparton.sc@education.vic.gov.au 

Vale Joe Day 

We have been saddened to hear of the recent passing of Mr Joe Day. In late 2021, as the Board Chair of Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation Mr Day was involved in the process that led to use of traditional language in naming the GSSC neighbourhoods. His cultural knowledge and connection to community was greatly respected and appreciated. We wish to extend our condolences to Mr Day’s family and friends.