“We feel it is vital that as a community we privilege the voices of First Nations people through educating staff and students alike,” IGS Teacher Lucy Howard-Shibuya said.
“We all have to play our part in our building of relationships that value First Nations People and tell the truth of our shared history, while also learning about their incredibly rich cultures, histories and languages. Reconciliation is about taking action and walking the walk side by side.”
Students and staff across the School marked Reconciliation Week by participating in activities including:
- On Wednesday 27 May students engaged in an extended tutor group session that started with an Acknowledgement of Country, followed by video clips as well as a few discussion questions.
- A number of students are studying Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies.
- 83 of our Years 9 and 10 students will take part in on-Country Learning next holidays in Aboriginal Homelands in Arnhem Land and APY Lands.
- Years 10 and Year 11 students will do the Wukalina Walk in Palawa country in the Bay of Fires during SAGE Week in Tasmania.
- The School bell was replaced with an excerpt from this song.
- The Bibliothèque displayed a selection of relevant resources.
- 30 Year 6 students and four IGS staff will participate in an immersion trip to Goodooga Central School over the long weekend in June.
Lucy said students are looking forward to experiencing what life is like in the remote rural community of Goodooga, while learning about the Yuwaalaraay culture and language.
On Monday 31 May we will celebrate the exceptional work of our Year 12 students at the Aboriginal Studies Major Project Exhibition.
These posters will also be made available throughout the School and will become permanent posters in each classroom as an Acknowledgement of Country resource.