St John's Primary School, Lambton
St John's Primary School celebrated NAIDOC Week by designing and painting a mural with Aboriginal artist, Judith Franklin. Judith worked with small groups in designing and painting a mural that depicted symbols of Catholic faith, the St John's school logo, community, Elders, travelling paths, meeting places, environment, water holes and sunshine. The finished mural was unveiled at their NAIDOC celebration and students were very proud of their input into this fantastic project.
Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach
St Joseph's High School, Aberdeen
St Joseph's, Aberdeen (which borders Wannaruah/Wonnarua and Gamilaroi Nations) celebrated NAIDOC this year by inviting Gurrawin, a local Aboriginal organisation, to deliver a spectacular array of workshops to the Aboriginal students of St Joseph's, entrenching them in cultural teachings around bush tools and weapons, dancing, and Dreaming stories. The students learnt an emu dance and explored Creation stories from ex-students and Aboriginal mentors. The whole school was then treated to a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Gurrawin, followed by a dance performance which included the facilitators and the Aboriginal students.
St Bede's Catholic College, Chisholm
St Bede’s celebrated NAIDOC Week by welcoming their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and community into the school to participate with students in a series of workshops in the sunshine of their Whistling Kite Common.
Our Lady of Victories, Shortland
Students from Our Lady of Victories celebrated NAIDOC Week with a memorable Liturgy led by their Indigenous Students, followed by a day of cultural experiences including painting, storytelling and learning about local Awabakal history.
"We look forward to continuing to develop our traditions and understanding of the history, culture and achievements of the First Nations Peoples at Our Lady of Victories." - Lisa York, Teacher, Our Lady of Victories
