School Polo Shirts
In 2024 the Aboriginal artwork design school polo shirts were finalised and available to purchase from the uniform shop. The shirt can be worn on any day by all students as part of our regular school uniform. The artwork for the shirts was created by members of the JAECG with support from Kyah Stewart, a former student.
NAIDOC Celebration
At the beginning of Term 3 we held our 2024 NAIDOC Ceremony. It was a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and was an opportunity to recognise the achievements of our Indigenous students. Our Guest Speaker, Kumaridha and Hunter AECG Secretary, Kahlia Saunders spoke about her story and the significance of this year’s theme 'Keep the Fire Burning - Blak, Loud and Proud'. Winanga-y Dreaming, who included one of our students Nate W (pictured) also performed several cultural dances. The WBHS NAIDOC Ensemble performed two pieces, including the song ‘Blakfella Whitefella’ featuring our Aboriginal students on the clapsticks.
Kalabara Room
Our new Aboriginal Education learning space, the Kalabara Room was opened in 2024. Kalabara is an Awabakal word meaning ‘shining bright’ and this encapsulates the potential, resilience, and brilliance we see in our students every day as they strive for success and embrace their cultural identity. We have procured new furniture for the space, including booths with an Aboriginal design fabric created by an artist local to the Hunter region. Students are able to access academic, wellbeing and cultural support in this space, including assignment help, small group tutoring and cultural workshops.
Personalised Learning Pathway (PLP) Day
This year we held another successful PLP Day where students, families and mentor teachers came together to discuss the academic, cultural and personal goals of students for 2024. This event was a wonderfully successful day with students, families and teacher mentors coming together to plan goals and provide support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students throughout the year.
Cultural Excursions and Activities.
Students at WBHS enjoyed a variety of cultural activities and experiences in 2024.
Bangarra Dance
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students travelled to Sydney to watch Bangarra Dance perform their piece ‘Horizon’ at the Sydney Opera House.
Numeracy Gala Day
Year 7 and 8 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attended a Numeracy Gala Day at McDonald Jones Stadium learning about some of the numeracy aspects that appear in the context of playing and coaching rugby league. They had the opportunity to meet and chat with Knights players on the day.
Worimi Stem Day
Year 9 and 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attended a STEM Day held at the Murrook Cultural Centre. The students made some seed bombs of native plants to take home and plant out as part of the environmental science and sustainability program. They also looked at the dunes at Stockton Beach to learn about environmental changes and observe Aboriginal artefacts found at the site. Finally, they visited the Hunter Water treatment facility to learn about its function.
Awabakal Excursion
Years 7 to 10 attended an excursion around our local area to visit sites including Redhead Beach, Cullen Park, Belmont Lagoon and Swansea Heads. Kentan Proctor from the Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council was our guide and taught our students about the significance of these sites to the Awabakal people. This excursion provided Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with an opportunity to share their culture with their non-Indigenous peers who also attended the excursion.
Barangaroo Excursion
Years 7-10 students travelled to Sydney to visit the Barangaroo Reserve. This included a cultural tour led by a local Aboriginal guide around the site. Students learned about the importance of the land to the Gadigal people and the incredible story of Barangaroo's life. This excursion provided Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with an opportunity to share their culture with their non-Indigenous peers who also attended the excursion.
Mural Painting Workshops
Our students were engaged in an artmaking workshops with artist and Warners Bay High School Graduate Kyah Stewart. Kyah designed an artwork and Ms Martin supported our students to bring the creation to life. Mr McKay led the installation and the mural is now installed in the canteen servery area.
Cultural Immersion Day - Suginami Gakuin Sister School Visit
During the Suginami Sister School visit to Warners Bay High School, members of the JAECG led a Cultural Immersion Day to teach our visitors about Aboriginal culture. This included a weaving workshop with Aunty Michelle from Kilipiynpiyn and a canvas painting activity in which the students got to take home their completed artwork back to Japan as a keepsake.
Transition to Year 7 2025 Day
In Term 4 we held our Transition Day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attending Warners Bay High School in 2025 as part of the new Year 7 cohort. Students participated in cultural activities, including painting, weaving, a breakout task, and a game of Volleyball Squares, which were led by members of the JAECG.
Student success and awards
Eleebana Public School hosted the Killi Biin Biin Awards, an opportunity to celebrate the success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across our Community of Schools. Many students represented the school in 2024 across a variety of activities including sporting, academic, cultural and creative and performing arts.
