Woodville High School recently celebrated Reconciliation Week with a series of meaningful and engaging activities designed to promote understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The week was filled with events that brought the school community together in the spirit of reconciliation.
Flag Raising Ceremony – The week kicked off with a Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday after Home Group. This significant event marked the beginning of Reconciliation Week and served as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Learning Hub Lessons – Throughout the week, teachers had the opportunity to book special lessons on Reconciliation Week in the Learning Hub. These sessions provided an in-depth look at the history, significance, and ongoing efforts towards reconciliation in Australia.
Wellbeing Art Activity – In the Irabinna Centre, students participated in a Wellbeing Art Activity based on the Reconciliation Theme. This activity was available during recess times on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, allowing students to express their understanding and commitment to reconciliation through art.
Yalunga Games House Challenges – On Monday and Tuesday during lunch time, the school hosted the Yalunga Games House Challenges. These traditional Aboriginal games were not only fun and engaging but also an excellent way to educate students about cultural practices and the importance of physical activity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Night – One of the week’s highlights was the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Night, which included a shared dinner with the Multicultural Parent Groups. This event fostered a sense of community and mutual respect, with food sourced from the school garden and special bush tomato chips created by the students. It was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, share stories, and celebrate cultural diversity.
Native Australian Food Sharing – The celebrations concluded on a delicious note with the sharing of Saltbush and Warrigal Green Damper on Friday at lunch. Prepared by students participating in a Year 8 Food and Horticulture (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander context) class, this special treat highlighted the unique flavours of native Australian ingredients.
Reconciliation Assembly – Finally to celebrate Our Woodville’s achievements over the past 12 months we conducted a Reconciliation Assembly with the whole school. Our invited guest Major “Uncle Moogy” Sumner shared his thoughts on what reconciliation is and the importance of our student cohort continuing the fight for a reconciled Australia. This was the perfect way to finish our celebrations of what was an amazing week celebrating such an important time in our community.
