St Joseph’s Primary School was awash with colour for a day of celebrating and learning about Aboriginal culture.
Students dressed in red, yellow and black to mark their NAIDOC Day event.
Parents, carers, relatives, neighbours, aunties, uncles and friends were invited to enjoy an afternoon of dancing, music, food and activities.
Around 40 people gathered in the school hall to watch the newly formed Aboriginal girls dance group perform for the very first time, learning the moves for the big event.
One of the students was joined by his high school aged siblings for a family dance performance called “The Wombat Dance”.
The school’s Aboriginal students used the special day to also celebrate their own achievements. Each student has a Personalised Learning Plan (PLP) developed by the student, parents and teachers to help set learning goals each term. As part of the plan, students have a say on how they celebrate achieving their goals and NAIDOC Day fitted the bill.
Students had a lesson about Aboriginal music and artifacts with Uncle Jeremy Saunders. He played the didgeridoo and the students played along with clap sticks.
There was face painting, nail painting and jewellery making, along with a barbecue of kangaroo and sausages.
And finally there was the handball competition between the students and the adults.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
