Year 7 and 12 Assembly

On Tuesday 1st February, we were fortunate enough to have Willie Pepper, an Aboriginal Elder from the Boonwurrung people of the Eastern Kulin nation, address the Year 7s and 12s and perform a Smoking Ceremony.

Principal Karl Russell, spoke to the Year 7s and 12s about the beginning and the end of the students' secondary college journey and the symbolism of the Smoking Ceremony and how it was relevant to them.

A Smoking Ceremony is traditionally performed by Indigenous people for weddings, funerals and births, and its purpose is for healing and cleansing.  They are also a gesture of goodwill, an opportunity of bringing people together; and performing a ceremony for another is a gift and a blessing. 

Our local member for Bentleigh, Nick Stiakos also joined in the assembly, presenting our College Captains with the Australian, Indigenous and State of Victoria flags, which will be flown at the school shortly.  Mr Stiakos passed on his wishes to the students for a successful year ahead.