Yarning Circles-
Year 8 English
Our Year 8 students have been exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and perspectives, in conjunction with the school value of ‘respect’ throughout English lessons, this term. As part of our learning, students participated in a ‘Yarning Circle’ led by Dylan O’Shanassy. Yarning circles are an important learning process in Aboriginal culture and Torres Strait Islander culture, and continue to be utilised by First Nations people today to preserve and pass on cultural knowledge. Our students were fortunate enough to yarn with Dylan about the story of ‘The Nargun’ which has been passed down by local Gunnai Kurnai people for generations. Students also listened to a piece of Slam Poetry written by Indigenous man Gregg Dreise which will be a focal point of our teaching and learning this term.
Yarning circles provide students with the opportunity to learn about Indigenous cultures through Indigenous cultural practices. There are many benefits of using yarning circles as a teaching and learning strategy including;
- enriching the learning experiences of our students
- promoting student collaborations and community connectedness
- encouraging respectful interactions and relationships
- providing a safe, positive learning environment for our students’ voices to be heard
It is our intention to continue to introduce Aboriginal ways of learning to the students at the College.
A Yarning Circle Reflection –
Tom Hanson 8D
In English, we went outside to participate in a yarning circle. A yarning circle is where an Elder
shares stories about traditions or the past; maybe a lesson about safety, or a made-up story
to prevent children from doing something stupid and/or getting themselves hurt. In the
yarning circle, Dylan taught us what happens in a yarning circle, and then he told
us a story about a monster in a cave, used to keep children at their parent’s side. Bu
Smith, our English teacher, read us Common Wealth, a Slam Poetry Persuasive by Gregg Dreise, that explores the views of First Nations people on the Australian National Anthem - what they want changed and what is good. Towards the end of the poem, it is suggested that Australia Day should be changed from when the First Fleet arrived, to another date. The poet suggests the date of when the Wattle flowers in Australia – the 1st of June. I was thinking that the date when First Nations peoples were allowed to vote would be a good idea.