During Weeks 5 and 6 of Term 2 our students engaged in activities to celebrate cultural learning in and around National Reconciliation Week.
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. At Sheoak Grove, our activities were led by one of our staff, Mrs Rosie Paine. Mrs Paine went into every class to share her cultural learning with our students across the school. She led a focus on Noongar Boodja (Country), developing an understanding for our students about the significance of place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the vital part that country plays in the culture of all First Nations people across Australia.
Our students thoroughly engaged in the learning and enjoyed it greatly. Our students in Room 10 wrote a piece for our newsletter about their learning and you can read it below:
Mrs. Paine came to visit Room 10 to share a story about her ancestors and discuss and acknowledge National Reconciliation Week. She asked Room 10 what they already knew about this topic and they discussed their prior knowledge. Mrs Paine introduced some new words to Room 10. Kaya meaning hello, Boorda meaning goodbye and Boodja meaning Country.
Mrs. Paine then read the story Welcome to Country to us. She discussed the importance of all the different things that make up the land and how the Aboriginal peoples were connected to their land.
Mrs. Paine shared with us a video of a Noongar welcome to country. She explained how it was welcoming us to the land through their dance, song and art. Room 10 took part in clapping and stamping our feet with the video to connect with the welcome to country.
We looked at our connection to the land in Perth. In particular, the Swan River and Kings Park. Room 10 then drew something that was related to the land that was important to them on a map of Australia. Room 10 were engaged and loved the experience. Thanks Mrs. Paine!