Tree Scarring at St Patrick's.
On Monday 3 June, 2024, our First Nations girls did our school proud by representing the group at St Patrick's College. They joined the older First Nations girls and worked in collaboration regarding the designs they wanted to have scarred on the tree. This enriching opportunity assists the younger girls, as many of them will transition to St Patrick's for their senior education. This pathway gives a strong connection to the story of the newly scarred tree.
Once we arrived back at school, we assembled in our Indigenous Garden to sketch and talk about the symbols.
The event was wonderful. To see the girls learning about the importance of their culture and heritage and having that sense of pride and belonging was inspiring.
Well done girls!
Reconciliation week morning tea.
Our Junior school First Nations students were joined this year by some of our Senior leaders for Morning Tea. This year they got to, not only experience the making of Johnny Cakes, but also enjoy consuming their works. Thanks toMrs Hackett, the Johnny cakes were flavour enhanced with Lemon Myrtle grown from our Wiritjiribin Garden in the senior college. An enjoyable time was had by all during the cook up as well as the special time taken to remember and reflect on the stolen generations and recognition of Reconciliation Week. Thank you to Mr Edwards for his support of the students who attended the gathering.
Lunch with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Jacobi Fernando, Year 10 boarder from Moree was invited to join his scholarship provider, the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF) to deliver the Acknowledgement of Country at the Australian Economic Outlook 2024. Jacobi delivered a beautiful and meaningful Acknowledgement of Country in his Gamilaraay language. On behalf of the College we would like to congratulate Jacobi for his leadership and thank the AIEF for their ongoing support.
NRL Indigenous Round Activities
Our senior First Nations boys were invited by the NRL referees to tour the NSWRL headquarters and share some first Nations culture with the NRL referees as they enjoyed the NRL Indigenous round. The boys were introduced to the story of how the NRL referee's jersey design came to be, by artist, former Olympic boxer and proud Indigenous man Brad Hore. Our senior boys then participated in an activity with the referees before sharing with the team of referee’s both dance and some of the traditional artefacts the boys now have an increased knowlede about. Manager of the NSWRL Indigenous community programs, Kristian Heffernan and Mr Humphries then gave the boys a tour of the NSWRL headquarters before sharing with them the many varied roles outside of being an athlete, that the game of Rugby League can provide. We would like to thanks NSWRL and Kasey Badger from the NRL for inviting the St Gregory's College to come along and share culture in what is a special week for all.