This term, our school proudly celebrated NAIDOC Week with a full-day Aboriginal Cultural Day experience, marking the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” recognises the important role young people play in carrying forward the proud traditions and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, students took part in a full-day immersive experience designed to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture, history, and ways of knowing. The event featured a range of interactive and hands-on workshops run by the Dhinawan Group, a team of First Nations educators and artists

Throughout the day, students rotated through a series of rich and engaging activities that celebrated the diversity and strength of Aboriginal traditions, including:

• Welcome Song and Dance Corroboree 

• Smoking Ceremony 

• Yidaki (Didgeridoo) Workshop and Performance, with traditional weaponry and artifact displays

• Boomerang Workshop

• Aboriginal Art Masterclass

• Truth-telling and Dadirri (deep listening) sessions

This special event forms part of our school’s ongoing commitment to embedding Aboriginal perspectives across learning and fostering reconciliation, respect, and cultural understanding among all students.

The celebration was a powerful reminder of the resilience, legacy, and cultural richness of our First Nations peoples. It offered students a unique opportunity to connect with Country and culture in a respectful and meaningful way.

Bridgette Fox I Aboriginal Coordinator