Student Leadership News 

Footy Colours Day

The SRC ran Footy Colours Day earlier this term to celebrate the AFL Finals. We raised $795 for the Fight Cancer Foundation. This organisation provides educational support for young people going through cancer and allows them to stay connected with their school and education. On the day, lots of students dressed in their teams’ supporter gear and enjoyed a variety of lunchtime activities. It was a really fun vibe and great atmosphere at lunchtime and we would like to thank all the staff for helping us run the activities. 

By the 2022 SRC

School Captain Delivers Acknowledgement of Country at Department of Education and Training Forum

On the 19th August, Skekinah Upkett (school captain) was asked to deliver the acknowledgement of country to a regional forum for the Department of Education and Training involving over 400 school leaders. 

Wattamooli everyone. Wattamooli means welcome in my language. My name is Shekinah Upkett, I am a proud Aboriginal and Māori young lady, and my people are Jeru, Durumbal and Gabi Gabi, from North Queensland in a beautiful place called Bowen, in the Whitsundays. It’s an honour and privilege to be here amongst you all, as you all have such an effective role to play in influencing our future leaders of this country in which we are blessed to live on. Before we continue, we as one acknowledges the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation as the rightful owners of this country we are meeting on today, we recognize the continuing connection to the land and waters, and thank them, for protecting this coastline and its ecosystems since time immemorial. We respect all Bunurong elders, ancestors and any first nations people here today.

"A little bit about myself, I’m the eldest of five children, my mum is Māori and my iwi which means tribe is Te Whanua Apanui and Ngapui which is from east coast of New Zealand and north of New Zealand and my dad is Aboriginal and South Sea Islander, which connections are Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. 

So, coming here today, I knew who my audience was going to be and who I get to share to, and when I was told that I had the opportunity to share my experiences to senior educators and principles, my first thought was, what an incredible role you all get to play in our lives and in building our future leaders. So, in saying that here are a few points I’d love to share with you all from my perspective. I believe we can, make Aboriginal and Torres Strait events more exposed within our school communities, like Reconciliation Week, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, Mabo Day, Indigenous Literacy Day and so on. A solution could be, to at the beginning of the year making a calendar filled with significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait events to celebrate. You can tap into many recourses provided on Indigenous sites. Another great thing we could move forward into doing, is intentionally forming connections and relationships with your local elders within your community, and if we were to do this successfully, I’m sure that in the future we could see and implement a new subject such as indigenous studies. And it’ll also help support indigenous students feel more accepted.

I’m excited to share with you one example that my school did to celebrate a significant date. I was very honoured that at my school, Patterson River Secondary College helped implement a smoking ceremony for our assembly to celebrate NAIDOC Week, with one our local elders, Aunty Sonya. Being able to share and educate my fellow indigenous and non-indigenous peers was something beautiful and meaningful. People like myself are extremely happy to be indigenous when we have the opportunity to share our culture in a setting like that, as well as people who are non-indigenous feel like they too are a part of a beautiful culture, therefore, bringing us together as one in unity and harmony.

One thing from this year that I would love us all to take away and not forget is the theme of reconciliation week which is “Be Brave, Make Change”. So, in saying that I’m going do something a little bit different, which requires all your help. Imagine there is an invisible line dead smack in the middle of you guys

This side of the room (whatever side) repeat after me, “be brave” and this side (opposite side) “make change”. So whatever side I point to I want you to say your line, with meaning, passion, and purpose. *Start pointing*

Alright everyone, that was awesome, should all be very proud, give the either side of you a high five. 

Well, that brings what I have to share to you, to an end, thank you for giving me

this opportunity for me to share, I hope you all have a great and inspiring rest of the day. Thank you and take care!"