Dear Parents and Carers, 

As discussed at the recent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Education information meeting, we discussed the new Cultural Centre being renovated and furnished, which should be open to students at St Joseph's and St Paul's in Term 4.

The team met last Friday and we have agreed on the following names, which were found in the Aboriginal people of the Illawarra book. 

Dance group - Pallingjang Mullamulla, which means saltwater stars

Cultural Centre - Mudjungaal Kullilla, which means friends meeting place

We would like to open these names up to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island parents and carers for consultation and approval. If we do not hear back from you within the next two weeks, we will take that as approval of these names.

We have a number of activities coming up in the following weeks and months for you to be aware of. You will be able to invite a mate to some of these, and others are just for our Aboriginal students.

Friday 21st May (Aboriginal students only)

University of Wollongong's Woolyungah Indigenous Centre will be visiting our year 7-10 students in the Library.

Year 7 and 8 will meet during period 5, where students will participate in goal setting and faculty taster sessions to increase students’ awareness of future career options. Students will also receive a free T-shirt!

Year 9 and 10 will meet during period 6, where students will set goals related to study as well as participate in subject selection, taster sessions and career planning activities.

Monday 31st May (invite a mate)

Reconciliation flag walk 9am - 2:00pm.

We will be taking as many of you and a friend.  We will also be taking students from St Paul’s.

The event will incorporate the flag walk, Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, Dance, as well as an official exchange of flags with Elders, Civic Leaders, Community and School flag bearers.

After the walk, groups will gather for the main formalities of the day. Once complete, students will be encouraged to go and introduce themselves to one of the local Elders and spark up a yarn over a free BBQ lunch! 

Wednesday 16th June (dance group and selected students only)

Bangarra Aboriginal dance performance Sydney

Students will meet at Oak Flats train station and travel to the Opera house, where we will have lunch and watch the performance.

Thursday 19th August (All Aboriginal students only)

Bangawarra Culture and Careers Expo

Years 7 - 9 Cultural Day - (9:00 AM Arrival) 9:30 AM - 2:10 PM

The day will include: Engagement with Community Elders, Smoking Ceremony, School Dancers/Didgeridoo Players, Cultural Workshops, Career Exhibitors.

Tuesday 24th August (All Aboriginal students only)

Bangawarra Culture and Careers Expo

Years 10 - 12 Cultural Day + Career Expo - (9:00 AM Arrival) 9:30 AM - 2:10 PM

The day will include: Engagement with Community Elders, Smoking Ceremony, School Dancers/Didgeridoo Players, Cultural Workshops, Career Exhibitors.

Thank you.

Kane Brown - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Coordinator