NAIDOC Week 2020
On Thursday we celebrated NAIDOC week with a two-hour incursion for our Indigenous students to workshop with special guest facilitators. We were extremely lucky to have Uncle Len Yarran and Anton Garlett from the Wadjuk Northside Centre, Ms Penny Pickett from Balga SHS Girls Academy and Runner up Miss NAIDOC 2020 Tamika Ponton.The group was split into two groups with the boys working with Uncle Len and Anton to discuss the importance of learning about the indigenous culture and keeping a close bond with the land their ancestors lived and made. It was powerful to see the male students listen and learn things that they did not know or had not discussed with anyone.
Ms Penny and Tamika workshopped with the girls about where their family bloodlines come from within WA. Tamika has ties to the school with her younger sisters attending JFSC. Tamika won Runner up Miss NAIDOC 2020, has recently completed university exams and is now a Doctor (Surgeon). The ladies also covered family links to parts of WA, traditional customs, the impact of the Stolen Generation and career pathways and choices.
The group then joined up and learnt the Noongar names for their body parts by playing games. Anton played the Didgeridoo and our very own Dylan Richards showed of his Didgeridoo skills in front of the group.
As a whole school we had a Kangaroo sausage sizzle, face painting and braiding areas in the Kelso quad.
We are planning to link in with Uncle Len and the Wadjuk Northside Centre in 2021 to provide opportunities for students to learn more about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
A massive thank you must go to Mrs Carter, Mr Jericho, Mr Glossop and the Health and Phys Ed Learning Area for their efforts to arrange and set up the events.
