Learning and Teaching

NAIDOC Week 2020

As mentioned earlier in the newsletter, this week is NAIDOC Week. The week is usually held earlier in the year but due to COVID-19, the date was changed. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.

The NAIDOC theme seeks to get teachers, students and the community to explore, learn about, and appreciate the wealth and breadth of Indigenous Nations, languages and knowledges of this continent. Exploring and learning about Indigenous understandings of the environment, plants, animals, greater astronomy and cosmology, waters, land use and protection, Indigenous sciences and maths.

Resources

The official site for NAIDOC week has many resources. You can read more here: https://www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/2020-theme

SBS Learn has produced a booklet of activities for schools that you can do with your child/children. You can find it here - https://www.sbs.com.au/sites/sbs.com.au.home/files/sbs_learn_naidoc_week_2020_always_was_always_will_be_teacher_resource_web.pdf

One easy way to discuss and learn about Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures is to read picture books and other stories together. Some suggestions are:

My Country by Ezekiel Kwaymullina and Sally Morgan
Ernie Dances to the Didgeridoo by Alison Lester
Welcome to Country: A Traditional Aboriginal Ceremony Book by Joy Murphy Wandin
The Lost Girl by Ambelin Kwaymullina and Illustrated by Leanne Tobin
Fair Skin, Black Fella by Renee Fogorty
Sorry Day by by Coral Vass and Illustrated by Dub Leffler

Most of these stories and others are available on Story Box Library so use our school login to access.

ABC Listen has many short videos to view and listen to celebrating NAIDOC week. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.abc.net.au/kidslisten/ideas/earlylearning/naidoc-week-content/9898654

A Colouring Poster is available on the NAIDOC website: https://www.naidoc.org.au/sites/default/files/files/2020-naidoc-poster-colouring-in.pdf

Deborah Courtney

Director of Teaching and Learning