Cultural sharing through week-long celebration
Published on: 4 July 2014
The Senior School celebrated NAIDOC Week with activities led by the School’s 16 Indigenous students and Indigenous Program Co-ordinator Chris Miles. All boys recognised the significance of the week at the Senior School Assembly.
Special guests at the assembly were Ingrid Cumming and Glenn Singleton. Ingrid, who is a custodian and traditional owner of Whadjuk Nyoongar country and CEO of Kart Koort Wiern, performed a highly interactive Welcome to Country.
Glenn, a visiting speaker from the US and Pacific Education Group and Courageous Conversations About Race founder, spent the week talking to a number of boys and staff.
Year 9 Indigenous students reported on their experience as part of the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) program at Notre Dame University, where Indigenous and non-Indigenous students are mentoring them.
The musical item, MLK by U2, was arranged by Director of Music Kevin Gillam and performed by Year 10 student Lachlan Higgins (vocals), Mr Gillam (‘cello) and Trinity College student Nixon Hamlet (Year 12) on didgeridoo.
Earlier in the week, the celebrations got underway with the Indigenous boys versus staff basketball game. The lunchtime event drew a big crowd with the ‘Indigenous All-Stars’ winning 22-18.
On Tuesday, boys came in free dress to raise money for ICEA (Indigenous Community Education Awareness Foundation). The appeal, founded by old boy Lockie Cooke (2007), assists school children in disadvantaged Indigenous communities in WA’s Kimberley region. Boys paid a gold coin donation and enjoyed a sausage sizzle served up by some familiar old boy faces and the Indigenous students.
On Thursday night, the Residential Community enjoyed an Indigenous-inspired menu as part of the annual ‘traditional feed’, prepared by Alliance Catering Manager Colin Harrison and his team.