Sorry Day 2016 with the Elders

Halle in Year 10 has been busy participating in NSW Netball activities for her age group, the Aboriginal Vocal Identification Program, Annie Musical and Women’s Leadership activities. It appears that her participation in a recent Women’s Leadership excursion to NSW Parliament has paid off and her inclusion again this year in the Aboriginal Vocal Identification Program have culminated in her Presidential role in the recent school musical Annie. Thank you Miss President, well done on some outstanding achievements so far this year; I can’t wait for the VIP Performance Night!

Similarly, Grace and Imogen have been representing their year group well and participating in leadership activities such as the NSW Parliament experience, SRC and Peer Support. It has been great to see so many of our new Year 10 Aboriginal students take such a strong leadership role in their school community. Well done girls.

APPIN MASCARE

This year has seen the 200^th anniversary of the Appin Massacre. Aboriginal Studies students in Year 11 were invited to participate in the Heritage Forum to discuss the history and significance of the Appin Massacre. I was humbled to see these two girls present their information and answer audience questions with such pride, and demonstrating a wisdom beyond their young years. The Forum was attended by many of Macarthur’s important political, business and community leaders; and each group remarked on how impressed they were by the girls in Year 11. Well done girls on showcasing the study you have been doing in Aboriginal Studies this year.

The Heritage Forum was followed by the much anticipated Appin Memorial Ceremony, which was held at Cataract Dam on 17 April. This day saw over 3,000 people attend. Many of our girls, from Year 7 – 11 played an active role; from preparing food, making coffee and tea, carrying heavy items and supporting our Elders and other community members. It was great to see some of our girls forming a guard of honour as the community made their way down to the ceremony site. It wasn’t just the students who helped out on the day, but many of the parents too – big thank you goes out to all those from the St Patrick’s community who supported the event and its organisers.    

SORRY DAY

Our Year 7 girls have also been out and about during Semester 1, attending a community Sorry Day event at Holy Trinity Church Minto. During this day, the girls were able to meet other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from the Macarthur area, have a yarn and lunch with our Elders and other Community, and listen to the presentations and performances to commemorate such an important day. Our Year 7 girls were also instrumental in the organisation and running of Traditional Indigenous Games during Reconciliation Week, along with some of their non-Aboriginal friends.

INDIGENOUS GAMES

The Traditional Indigenous Games were held during a lunch time during Reconciliation Week, and this saw our Year 7 students, along with Kayla and Tayla of Year 9, teach their peers Gorri, Weme and Wana. Bella of Year 7 in particular stood out with her superb hand eye coordination, hitting her target almost every time. This was a great lunch time event and many of our non-Aboriginal students were out playing these games and having lots of fun – along with myself and Mr Stevens. Well done to all the girls involved in the organisation and running of these games – thank you for sharing our culture with St Patrick’s.

This term, all the girls were able to participate in a NAISDA incursion. This incursion saw the girls working with Ryan, a dancer from the NAISDA Dance College. Ryan worked with the girls, and many ‘claimed’ they were not dancers, but by the end of the incursion were moving beautifully – proving to themselves I think that anything is possible. I am pleased to say that Khaila of Year 12 and Kayla of Year 9 were successful in being offered an opportunity to apply for the July NAISDA camp. Erin of Year 8 was also chosen, however she will be able to apply next year in Year 9.

BANGARRA

Our most recent community event saw a number of girls from Years 8 and Year 11 Aboriginal Studies, along with Year 11 Aboriginal Studies students from John Therry attend a performance of Bangarra’s ‘Our People Land Stories’. This was such a wonderful opportunity and enabled the students to connect the story of the Appin Massacre to the performance being presented on stage. It was wonderful also to see the Aunties enjoy their day out in the city and enjoy having all the young people around. After the performance, students were able to meet the performers and those responsible for such a wonderful performance. I can say that all those who experienced the Bangarra performance thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We would all like to thank Sister Kerry, Sister Patricia, The Browne Sisters and the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry for providing all the students with this opportunity. We would also like to thank them for allowing staff to attend and for providing this opportunity for our community. Thank you so much.  

This year will continue to be a busy year for Aboriginal Education, with NAIDOC, AIME, Aboriginal Studies in Year 8 and 11 and other community events yet to come. I look forward to sharing future events and achievements of our students with you. Have a great holiday everyone and stay safe… See you in Term 3.

 Jo Tanginoa - Aboriginal Education Teacher

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