2022 Highlights
NAIDOC celebrations
NAIDOC Week celebrations were held at Warners Bay High School in June this year. Junior AECG students spoke about the significance of NAIDOC and the importance of this year’s theme, “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” and the national anthem was played in both Awabakal and English. Special guests, Aunty Dawn and Mr Ken Weatherall attended, and Aunty Dawn spoke about the referendum of 1967 and the need for change. Junior AECG students then participated in painting and weaving activities and created beautiful contemporary artworks on timber.
Sorry Day 2022
Sorry Day was commemorated with a whole school assembly run by Junior AECG students Kiara and Madison. They spoke passionately about the impact of the Stolen Generation on families and the importance of reconciliation and acknowledging of the past. Simone began with an Acknowledgment of Country in Awabakal language, Chelsea and Ruby lit the candle of remembrance and Lilly and Harmony read a significant poem about reconciliation and the 1967 referendum.
Junior AECG
Junior AECG students travelled to Sydney to view the First Nations Exhibition at the museum. They then completed an art workshop with Aunty Faraday at the Rocks Museum where they were invited to contribute to her most recent painting by adding their fingerprints and signatures to the canvas. Her finished artwork will be on permanent display in the museum.
Warners Bay Public School’s NAIDOC celebrations
Twelve Junior AECG students represented the school at the Warners Bay Public Schools' NAIDOC celebrations. Simone gave the Acknowledgment of Country and students assisted in the classrooms with weaving and painting activities.
Speaking in Colour
Four students and two staff attended the Speaking in Colour Cultural Camp which was held at Glenrock over two days in April. The camp provided cultural opportunities for students and staff to connect with local elders and community and participate in Aboriginal weaving, Aboriginal dance, Possum Skin Cloak making, artefacts, Land Management and Torres Strait Islander dance.
Wollotuka "Rising From the Embers"
Four students attended the Wollotuka "Rising From the Embers" Event at Newcastle University to experience university life and see how their school subjects align with university courses. Students visited various faculty stalls, spoke to representatives from the university and explored the facilities, including the lecture halls and the special sleep pod in the library. This informative day provided students with an increased understanding of what University courses are available and how Wollotuka can support their further education.
Bangarra Dance program
Nine Junior AECG students participated in an online Bangarra Dance program over four weeks. Students learnt about the significance of Aboriginal dance, worked collaboratively to develop some of their own choreography and integrated this into a contemporary dance piece. They painted t-shirts with hand prints and symbols for the final performance. Forty students then had the opportunity to travel to Sydney and attend a performance by Bangarra at the Opera House.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Talent ID Program
Four students had the opportunity to attend the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Talent ID Program hosted by Hunter Academy of Sport. They participated in a range of sports and their skills were assessed by a team of qualified coaches. The day provided an opportunity for students wishing to pursue sport at an advanced level to be identified and possibly offered scholarships.
Weaving Day
Junior AECG students had the opportunity to participate in a weaving day where students worked collaboratively to complete a weaving artwork. The weaving piece, which will be displayed in the Library, enabled students to increase their weaving skills and learn more about culture through art.
Junior AECG Induction Ceremony
Junior AECG students, parents, grandparents and carers gathered to present the Junior AECG Leaders with their badges. The badges were present by a family member or close friend and everyone then enjoyed an afternoon tea.
Professional Learning
- Two staff participated in Stronger Smarter training.
- Four staff had the opportunity to participate in Connecting to Country training.
