NAIDOC Week at MLC School

This week we celebrated NAIDOC at MLC School. It is an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme is ‘For Our Elders’. In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures the elders are highly regarded people. They lead and provide support to the community, as well as teaching and passing down knowledge.

During our chapel service on the staff professional development day, we were fortunate to hear from Pastor Susan Russell. She shared her family history of being part of the Stolen Generations and how she has had to reconnect with her Wiradjuri culture. This was followed by a session of looking at the origins of NAIDOC Week, learning about Torres Strait Islander culture and an information session on the Voice referendum.

In the Senior School, NAIDOC Week was the focus of the Tuesday chapel service and was part of the school assembly. The Junior School had a number of activities planned throughout the week. In the library there was bracelet making in the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colours at lunchtime. During sport lessons the girls were learning Aboriginal games.

The Year 4 classes spent time with Tarli and Vikki from Malima Indigenous Weaving and Education weaving. All the class have been learning how to welcome people in an Aboriginal language which was part of the NAIDOC Week assembly. The assembly focused on the MLC School Value of Respect and how that is understood in Aboriginal culture.

NAIDOC week has provided us with the opportunity to deepen our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and appreciate the sophistication, uniqueness and beauty of First Nations culture.

– Tim Lennon
Director of Indigenous Education