COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNSELLOR

It has been a fun filled space in Community Engagement. We celebrated National Reconciliation Week from May 27 until June 3. Our week began with a National Reconciliation week assembly where the students were involved in sharing stories, singing and sharing the importance of the week. Next, we all participated in lunchtime activities beginning with a traditional food cook up. On this day we cooked traditional dishes including sop sop and simur chicken. This food was then shared with the College community. We had so many students and staff attend this event, and enjoy the beautiful taste of traditional cooking. Throughout the week, we also participated in various activities including: Move It Mob Style; flag protocol information session with CPL Tianita McDonnell and SGT Eliza Oates; colouring in competition; Be Brave, Make Change, by our wonderful Flora Nona; face painting; dreamtime oracle; scavenger hunt. We finished with celebrating the 30 anniversary of Mabo Day.

In celebration of Mabo Day we began the day by officially holding our Flag Raising Ceremony. This official ceremony was a monumental moment in history and now St Patrick’s College Townsville has the Australian National, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Flag flying from Monday to Friday. This movement was instilled by the Reconciliation Action Plan Committee and will be recognised in our reconciliation Action Plan for the College. The flags will be raised at 8:15am and lowered at 3:20pm each day by the year 11 and 12 Boarding students and also the College Prefects.

(Our amazing student representatives – Reconciliation Action Plan Committee. Bethany Savage, Jermia Ahmat-Nona, Flora Nona and Ethel Babia)

A group of the QASTIF students also attended the Mabo Day opening march on Mabo Day and were able to connect to culture and community through food, family and dance. Our very own Olive-Rose Pearson danced and sung with her people to celebrate this day.

Overall, we have had a very exciting and fun filled month and we look forward to all of the NAIDOC celebrations coming up in Term 3.

As always, feel free to contact me at any time at pkulbicki@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au or 4753 0300, I am always here for a yarn.

Ms Paije Kulbicki

COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNSELLOR