NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC week is a time to unite and celebrate. It’s also a time to reflect on what a united Australia would look and feel like, and our responsibility as a College to contribute and lead reconciliation and systemic change.

The 2022 NAIDOC Week theme was “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” The theme is about the desire to change the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non‑Indigenous Australians to one that is “based on justice, equity, and the proper recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights.”

NAIDOC Week was celebrated in the last week of Term 2. The week commenced with a College National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (NATSI) Mass where the Bina Dance group performed several storytelling dances. Students form Pre-Primary – Year 12 were selected to take part in some of these performances.

Throughout NAIDOC week students from Kindergarten to Year 12 participated in a range of activities. This included damper making, scratch animal activities, yarning circle chats, an Acknowledgement of Country colouring, canvas paintings, NAIDOC ribbon kites and keyrings and the viewing of Little Cuz and Big J. On Wednesday’s extended HTG, the whole College took part in a human Aboriginal Flay on the oval. The College Café also served an Indigenous menu throughout the week.

The Year 8 students HASS curriculum looks at Australian Identity. Justin Martin came in and spoke to the Year 8 students during NAIDOC week. Justin is the owner and operator of Djurandi Dreaming. Justin explored Indigenous culture and values, the connection with land and place, Indigenous identity and local Indigenous history.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our College and the community for an enjoyable NAIDOC week. NAIDOC week recognises and celebrats more than 65,000 years of First Nations history in Australia. We are grateful to our Aboriginal Education Assistant, Mrs Bennell, for all her work in preparing these activities and celebrations for our College Community.

Mrs Christina Davini

Deputy Principal, Inter-relationships