Telephone02 4455 1799
Last week we were lucky enough to have the team from Royal Australian Air Force come in to show our students what life in the Air Force would look like for them. We had Pilots deliver a presentation before the students got to have a go at their virtual reality flight simulator machines which was a massive hit. Thanks again to the crew for coming down to support our students post school pathways! We’re excited to work together more in the future!
This week we had the pleasure of hosting a morning tea in the Gunya room for Aunty Nel's birthday. It was a special time for students and staff to surround our Aunt with love and celebrations! Thankyou to all who came along and put a smile on Aunty Nel's face!
We warmly welcomed Aunty Wonda and Jessie from Waminda in this week who will be working with some of our students in mentoring sessions each fortnight. Love having their team in supporting our students!
Firstly, on behalf of the entire OCHRE Team we wish the happiest of birthdays to our Aunty Nel. Aunt has worked for our school for over 30 years helping our students through their journey of high school, seeing countless groups through from year 7 to watching them graduate in year 12. Thank you Aunty Nel for your ongoing love and support of our students.
On November 10th we have the crew from the Australian Airforce coming out to deliver a presentation along with some virtual reality simulators to show our students what a career in the air force could look like for them! Register your interest with Erica to attend.
Walawaani and welcome back to Term 4!
We still have places available for any current Year 10 students wanting to participate in a Conservation Land Management School Based Traineeship for the years 2024 and 2025. Please see Erica as soon as possible if you would like more information.
This Wednesday 19 October we have our final AECG meeting for the year. We encourage all our parents and caregivers to join us and have a voice in our children’s education. The meeting will be held at Ulladulla High School in the Staff Room, entrance via South Street, at 6:00 pm with dinner provided. Please call Erica at 4455 1799 to RSVP or if you have any questions.
Week 9 of Term 3 we celebrated NAIDOC Week. With events planned throughout the week, we began on Monday when we were fortunate enough to welcome Shane Snelson into the school for an art workshop. The students painted individual designs onto canvas that represented their own personal connection to Country. Another major piece included the students working with Shane to create a storytelling piece exploring Country and depicting ancestors on a surfboard. Shane also explained the meaning behind Aboriginal symbols and the students expressed that it was a meaningful experience exploring their own and others’ cultural knowledge. On Tuesday, a burger lunch prepared by Mr Barry and his International Studies students was a great success. There were tables and yarning mats set out in the Aboriginal Garden where painting and weaving took place. However, a particular highlight for the students was having a yarn with Aunty Nell around the fire. All felt very appreciative of the lunch, and many expressed how it was actually a very revitalising experience. It allowed for time to pause for a moment and reflect; whilst enjoying the Aboriginal Garden and relishing in the glorious sunshine. The Wednesday saw the students in action at the NAIDOC Basketball Competition. The students were able to nominate to be a part of the day, with a mixed junior and senior competition being held. There was an excellent display of skill and sportsmanship on the court, and it was a great exhibition of the athleticism we have at UHS. There were positive vibes amongst all involved and it was a great sight to see so many peers encouraging and spectating throughout the morning. The crowd really grew for the student ‘All Stars’ team to take on the champion Teachers team during the lunch break. There may have been some sneaky tactics used by the teachers, but the final score sheet sees them walk away with the victory for 2022. The students all thoroughly enjoyed themselves and are already looking forward to next year’s competition. Thursday the students partook in a message stick program with Mr Davies. Message sticks are a way of exploring the importance and history of communication, whilst immersing students in the spiritual connection behind the message sticks. The First Nation male students at UHS worked on turning and making message sticks in the woodwork rooms.
Last Monday we proudly took our 10 First Nations Graduating Year 12 students to the Shoalhaven Year 12 First Nations Graduation at Bomaderry High School.
There was a performance by Djiriba Waagura and our very own Aria Nee represented Ulladulla High School as a student speaker during the event.
Having community, families and staff come together to celebrate our First Nations students as they collected their graduation certificates was such a deadly atmosphere for all involved. Congratulations Year 12, we are all so proud of you!
We currently have some exciting opportunities on offer for our First Nations Students here at UHS.
¨ National Parks, Conservation Land Management School Based Traineeship
¨ UOW Year 12 Summer Master Classes 2023
¨ The University of Sydney, Indigenous Australian Engineering School 2023
Please see Erica for more information if you would like to apply.
Notices will be going up next week to be involved with our NAIDOC Art Competition and NAIDOC Basketball competition. Sign-up sheets will be at the top of Q Block. Keep an eye out for these!
As always, we encourage you to come to our Homework Centre each Tuesday afternoon for help with assignments and homework.
This week three of our local AECG members, Cat Smith, Nathel Fishlock and Erica East completed their panel placement training with our Principal Denise Lofts.
Thank you to all of our deadly students who came to help with Budawang’s NAIDOC celebrations last Friday. The Budawang students and teachers loved having our students up there, especially the Budwang students who got to get up close and feel the vibrations of the Digeridoos! Again, thank you to our students, so proud of the way you conduct yourselves when we represent our school and share our culture.
Last week we had the pleasure of taking some of our students along with Milton Public school students up to Budawang School to assist with their NAIDOC celebrations. A small group of our Miribi Bunbal Didge boys performed for the students and their families while a few of our Bunaan Yandabal Dance girls taught the Budawang students some movements with clap sticks. It was such a special day for all involved in sharing our culture and celebrating NAIDOC together. Thanks for having us Budawang!
We have had so many exciting things happening with our students in the last week. PCYC Fit Together program has seen a group of our boys going out on Country in Jervis Bay learning from Aunty Dierdre about bush tucker and bush medicine.
Our Bonaan Yandadul girls did an amazing performance at the Investiture assembly where our Hudson Fishlock, newly appointed Prefect delivered a deadly Acknowledgement of Country.
Finally we also saw a number of our students proudly receive their Principal Awards. Congratulations to these well deserving students!
Special mention to Cabrogal Women Maya Kelly in Year 10 who went on a Culture Writing and Poetry Camp in the school holidays with Waminda and wrote this beautiful poem about her journey of Aboriginality.
I lay awake, miles of skin
cling wrap
hiding what longs to dance under my flesh
A body in which I am still unfamiliar with
I'm Lost
Engulfed in linen patterned with flowers
sun coloured pillows support my thoughts
Thoughts not heard
by the outside world
They can’t hear
If I have no mouth
No voice
Disconnection
Country
Culture
That longing unsatisfied
I lay in flowers
silence.
Held captive by my skin stripped of colour
Hoping that when I fall
our mother will catch me
Hoping
While in her embrace
I find connection
connection to a culture that is so deeply
etched into my veins
Hoping that when I fall
our ancestors will hold me.
Monday 27 June, our dance group Bunaan Yandabal had the privilege of performing at the Far South Coast Dance Festival. Bahlie Smith and Adannaya Ekeson proudly delivered a beautiful Acknowlegement of Country followed by Bunaan Yandabul opening the festival with ‘Inspried Totems’. This piece was inspired by Bangarra’s 2021 secondary schools workshop ‘Totems’. With the help of the incredible Mrs Amanda Grady, Bunaan Yandabal manipulated movement to tell stories from their local community and their personal connections to Country.
Outstanding performances by Miribi Bunbal at Milton Public and Ulladulla Public NAIDOC assemblies. Miribi Bunbal had all of the primary students clapping along, dancing and sitting with eyes closed feeling the music all within the same performance! At Milton Public School Ms Bunyan interviewed Maya Kelly and Hudson Fishlock on the theme of NAIDOC this year 'Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up' and how they do this for their culture!
We are so proud of all our students who have ‘Shown Up’ for their culture these past couple of weeks to make these incredible opportunities happen!
We are so fortunate to have Mrs Grady and Mr Richardson at our school teaching our didge and dance groups. If you would like to be a part of either of these in Term 3 please come and see Erica in the Gunya room to pop your name down.
Have a great Term 3.
This week we had a deadly 2 days down in Batemans Bay at the UOW Campus participating in cultural activities and having yarns with local Elders and First Nations academics. Our students had an awesome time learning how to make rope, fishing nets and learning salt water peoples dances of the Budjan (Bird). Thanks for having us UOW.
We are so proud of Hudson Fishlock, Year 11 proud Awabakal man who is running for school captain in 2023. Hudson you are already such a fantastic role model and mentor to our First Nations students and we wish you the best of luck!
This week we were lucky enough to have the deadly team from Woolyungah Indigenous Centre at the University of Wollongong down to speak with our kids about future pathways into university. First Nations Years 7 & 8 students got to make slime and discuss what they might like to do when they’re older and if they might be considering university. While Years 10 – 12 had the opportunity to learn about UOW’s Indigenous Admissions Program and also have a Q&A with current UOW First Nations students. Applications for the IAP close next Friday the 17th, please see Erica for details.
Mabo Day is marked annually on 3 June and marks the end of National Reconciliation Week. It commemorates Eddie Mabo and his successful efforts to overturn the legal concept of terra nullius, or ‘land belonging to no-one’ in Australia. It was also from the success of the Mabo Case that the 'Native Title Act' was passed in 1993 which established a framework for native title claims for First Nations people.
On Wednesday the 8th UOW are coming to run My Future Matters for all of our First Nations students. Years 7-8 will be in session 2 and Years 10-12 session 3. Please return your permission notes to the office or Gunya Room as soon as possible.
Mr Richardson had an awesome turn out for Didge practice this week!
The boys played out of the cultural garden and worked on some new skills together. If you would like to join our Didge or Dance groups at school please see Erica or Mr Richardson.
The theme of this year’s Reconciliation Week is ‘Be Brave, Make Change’. This is a challenge to all Australians, Individuals, Families, Communities, Organisations and Government to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.
First Nations homework Centre is running on Tuesday afternoons in the Library. Come along for teacher support, help with assignments, organisational skills, resumes and learning goals. 3.05 –5.00pm
ALL WELCOME
Reminder: Anyone wanting to join Boonan (dance group) please see Mrs Grady, Didge Group - Miribi Bunbal Mr Richardson. You can also see Erica
Yr 12 Aboriginal studies class along with Yr 12 Society and Culture were invited by Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Lands Council to a special smoking ceremony for a mural that is being painted by Transport NSW to commemorate Aboriginal Histories and Cultures. Thanks to Uncle Owen Carriage and Bindarray Jiibiny.
Walawaani to all of our First Nations students returning for 2022 and a big welcome to all of our Year 7’s starting at UHS! The Ochre Team are looking forward to meeting you all and working with you as we explore our culture throughout the year together.
Keep your eyes posted on the Koori Korner each week to keep up to date with programs happening around the school.
A great time was had by all at the final filming for the Spectacular schools inspired –’totems project’. The girls have been rehearsing for the past two weeks to perform a component of the overall piece of work. Thank you to Bangarra who facilitated these rehearsals via zoom to teach them the choreography for this year’s spectacular.
We are happy to be welcoming the lovely Haley Calford from Waminda back into the school. Haley coordinates the Mirrial Bulwul, a wellbeing program for our First Nation students at Ulladulla High School. Our students are excited to be working with Haley in these programs in the near future.
Tuesday afternoons 3.05pm to 4.45pm, Q20
Afternoon tea provided
Starting 30 November, Bangarra Dance Company will once again host online dance workshops for males and females. The workshops which will run over 4 sessions will be a component of the Schools Spectacular.
See Ms Grady or Erica to put your name down.
A great afternoon was had last Tuesday at our welcome back /reconnection BBQ. Lots of laughs as we chatted about how good it was to be back at school. Thank you Tarlia and Kira for cooking the BBQ.
Nekaya Carpenter, Emma Ashby and Dr Ana Ramos from Waminda are back at school completing health checks for our First Nations students. These checks are taking place every Wednesday in a confidential environment. If you need a new Waminda registration form please see Erica in the Gunya room.
We are so thankful to be able to have Waminda back into the school to be completing First Nations students free Health Checks. Each student, with parent/guardian permission, has the opportunity to speak with an Aboriginal Health Worker followed by an appointment with a GP all held inside the school. If you have not yet been seen and would like to, please see Erica in the Gunya room to receive a registration and consent form. Waminda is an external agency providing women and their Aboriginal families an opportunity to belong and receive quality health and well-being support. UHS is very lucky to collaborate with Waminda.
Last Tuesday 2 June to Thursday 4 June, 5 Aboriginal students from UHS participated in a two night cultural camp to Burrill Pines. Students from Batemans Bay High, Bomaderry High and Nowra High also attended. The main aim of the camp was to distinguish the importance in cultural burn in comparison to a regular hazard reduction burn that the RFS conduct.
The Cultural Burn was held at the Ulladulla Aboriginal Lands Council site in Narrawallee. Uncle Vic, Uncle Nook, Uncle Paul and Shane Snelson, were there to introduce the students to the traditional fire practices and to teach them the correct ways to conduct these fires. During the camp the students participated in a variety of cultural activities including traditional tool making, weaving, painting and learning dances which were performed in a Corrobboree on the final evening. The entire camp was filmed as a part of a cultural burn research assignment through Wollongong University. We look forward to viewing the final production in the coming weeks. Thank you to Ms Mooney and Erica for facilitating such a great camp.
Last Friday we took 6 students out to Lake Conjola as a part of our weekly Youth Aboriginal Mentor Program Excursion. The students had an awesome afternoon fishing together, playing cricket and having yarns to the support workers running the program from South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corp (AMS). This excursion is run every Friday afternoon, taking a small group of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids to do various cultural activities around the local area.
Observed annually on May 26th, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as The Stolen Generations. National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and the intergenerational trauma this has caused on our nation.
Calling all senior students! Year 12 Trials are quickly approaching Week One and Two of next term, as such, it would be wonderful to get our Year 12 Koori students consistently attending The Homework Centre every Tuesday afternoon to be better prepared for exams. We have teachers qualified in a range of subjects who are there to help you with content revision and give you organisational and study strategies. This would also be a great time to see our Year 11 crew start attending also. Your final year is just around the corner and it's essential that you build an effective study routine early to prepare for the demands of the HSC.
Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2021, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action. Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To our new supporters, please remember the importance of privileging and amplifying First Nations’ voices as you add your voice to calls for reconciliation and justice.
We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
2021 marks twenty years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process. Find out more about national reconciliation Week nrw.reconciliation.org.au/about-nrw/
#MoreThanAWord #NRW2021
What a great day out 10 students had at the end of last Term. AMS put on a Youth Aboriginal Mentoring Program. They took these 10 students to the Aboriginal Caves at Burrill Lake and later made clap sticks, played some activities and had lunch together. It was a great opportunity for students to connect with their Aboriginal Culture. Everyone enjoyed the day.
Thank you to Waminda who conducted health checks to our Indigenous students last term. This is part of “closing the gap” initiative that ensures the health of our young people. Waminda will be doing health checks again this term for those who missed out. If you need a note please see Ms Mooney
Didge group has been up and running with Mr Richardson and he is very impressed with the commitment he is seeing. The group meet on:
Mondays Week A Session 2 in the Movement Studio and
Wednesday Week B Session 4 in Q5.
Didge group is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander boys. See you there!
Mr Richardson
Cohen practicing the didge in the Gunya room with Uncle Fred looking on!
Last term our students participated in the second Zoom session with Bangarra Dance Theatre. The students are learning the dance together with other schools through this interactive and fun workshop along with our amazing dance teacher Mrs Grady. Our students are also choreographing and performing an individual piece that will be incorporated into the final performance. We are looking forward to our next session where we will continue to develop our skills. It is a wonderful program which keeps the students engaged through the learning of their culture.
As you all know, Samara has left to take up a wonderful opportunity at Brisbane Broncos, coordinating their Girls Program. We will miss her very much and acknowledge all of the work and support she has provided for our staff and students. This is an incredible experience for Samara and we wish her well in her new endeavour!
Group 2 had a great time bowling in conjunction with the Aboriginal Mentoring Program. We thank the Aboriginal Health team who put on this program for our students. All Aboriginal students will be participating. Keep an eye out for your invitation.
If you would like to learn to play the didgeridoo and have the opportunity to perform in the community and at school events see Samara or Mr Richardson to put your name down.
Every week Aboriginal students will attend a breakfast and catch up with Aboriginal Education Team staff. There you will have the opportunity to get information about upcoming opportunities, programs and get organized for your day.
Monday Week A - Years 10-12 - Gunya Room 9.10-9.30am
Monday Week B - Years 7-9 - Gunya Room 9.10-9.30am
Bumulaga Njin will continue in 2021, all Aboriginal and TSI students are encouraged to attend.
Next year will bring many opportunities and programs for you all to participate in and the Ab Ed Team encourages you to make the most of it and have a go.
Waminda will coordinate Aboriginal & TSI Health Checks in Term 1 2021 and the South Coast AMS will be running a Young Men’s Cultural program, Waminda will continue the young Women's Wellbeing program, their will be opportunity to attend University Winter School and join the girls dance group or boys didge group.
The Aboriginal Education Team 2021 (Aunty Nellie Mooney, Auntie Natasha Mooney, Ms Samara Williams, Ms Carly Morton, Ms Eliza McCabe, Mr John Field, Ms Amanda Grady, Ms Fiona Williams, Mr Ben Barry and Mr Hamish Richardson) would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. We will see you all next year - Waalawani x
NAIDOC week was very different to past years, though we still managed to connect to the significance of the message:
Always Was, Always Will Be.
Shane Snelson came in on Monday to share his artistic skills and work with students on the art project - a representation of his sketch of 'Warden Head'. All entries were posted on the Drama Studio windows on Friday for the final judging. Shane decided upon Ruby Riley-Brown's entry (Year 11). Ruby's artwork (photo) will be the basis for the UHS staff jumpers in 2021, SBAT work shirts and all communications of the UHS Aboriginal Education Team. Congratulations Ruby!
The NAIDOC touch competition was a big hit thanks to
Mr Hallett and Ms Earl’s organisation (full report below).
Friday's NAIDOC assembly was an intimate event with only Year 8, 9 & 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attending (the revised date meant that Year 7 were at Coolendel, Year 11's were on their study day and Year 12 had finished their HSC).
Whilst the remainder of the school watched a pre-recorded video of the event, our students were fortunate to have Aunty Nell & Mrs Lofts, our Boonan dancers and Didge group 'Miribi Bunbal' to present in person.
Year 11 Dance created an interpretation and representation of a range of insights from our school community from Aboriginal Education Officer - Samara Williams, Elder Aunty Nellie Mooney, Teacher Ms Natasha Mooney, outgoing prefect Tear Locke and Aboriginal student mentor Mr Ben Barry. Students interviewed each of the participants in relation to this year's theme and have represented their responses through movement. The choreography is generated from their words and transferred to movement. The work, titled ‘Insights’ was accompanied by music composed by the soundtrack of Rabbit Proof Fence & Archie Roach’s Munjana.
Inspired by this year’s theme our Year 11, 9 & 8 Boonan dance students worked together on creating movement that was representative of their journeys combined with that of ‘Still here’ - Ulladulla High School’s Triple J Unearthed High Entry.
Congratulations to our Award winners:
1. The award for Commitment to Culture and Community: Angelique McCabe
2. The Commitment to Education and Leadership Award:
Riley Wooden
3. The Excellence in Aboriginal Education Award: Mrs Gough
4. The Uncle Fred Award for Educa-tional Strength and Resilience:
Jason Hughes
5. The Aunty Nellie Award for Courage and Compassion in Education: Dylan Hodge
The annual NAIDOC touch football competition was a big hit with many students taking to the field for the round robin competition. The end of day results saw Midandahl defeat Mana 4-3 in the final with Lochi Wall scoring the winning try close to the final whistle.
The MVPs were: Boys: Darcy Wooden/Lochi Wall and Girls: Maddison Morris/Ella Stewart. It was great to see lots of students helping out with refereeing and scoring duties. The popular Teachers vs Students was a close game with full time score 2-2.
In a drop off the teachers were the first over the line, with
Mrs Johnson scoring a try for the team. The students responded with a try, making it a tight call. The students held on, scoring once again to give them their 1st victory in years and a 4-3 win. Well done to all staff and students.
Over the holidays Chase practiced and practiced his circular breathing and now he can do it!!! Chase has excelled in his didge lessons with Mr Richardson and the boys and will be a leader of this group in the coming years. Well done Chase, your dedication, persistence and connection to your Aboriginal culture is paying off.
Well done mate, we are all very proud of you.
With only 9 weeks left in 2020 let us help you get your assessments, assignments and class work completed at our homework centre. You will have all the support you need at our homework centre to finish the year off in style. Get to Q17 every Tuesday from 3.15-4.30pm for homework centre and afternoon tea.
Congratulations to the boys who participated in the 8 week PCYC Fit 2 Learn Program with Ice, Snr Constable Ward and Snr Constable White. This program is designed to re-engage disengaged youth into the education system, allowing them to further develop intellectual and social skills. The program encourages participants to explore their strengths in building respectful relationships within the school environment whilst also developing emotional intelligence skills preparing them for future employment. Huge thank you to the PCYC team for this great opportunity and to Ice who is always there to support the boys.
Thank you to Emile our new Student Support Officer here at UHS for coming to our Year 9 Bumulaga Njin breakfast program. This was a great opportunity for Emile to get to know our boys, build a rapport and let them know what he does here at school. During this time the boys discussed their interests, hobbies, future aspirations and Emile let them know that if they needed someone to talk to or needed support that he is available.
Thank you Emile, much appreciated.
The Bumulaga Njin Koori students breakfast program is where you come to have breakfast, catch up, discuss upcoming opportunities and programs with Samara, Aunty Nell and Mrs Williams. This program is for your benefit. We want to see you all there from 8.50am - 9.10am. At the moment we are learning the Acknowledgement to Country in Dhurga, thanks to Lee Brooks and Uncle Shane from the Lands Council who we recorded doing it and are now practicing until we become fluent and confident. Here is a photo of Lane Williams Y7 practicing.
Your year group days:
Monday Yrs 11 & 12 Thursday Y9
Tuesday Y7 Friday Y10
Wednesday Y8
Get online and vote for UHS Miribi Bunbal Didg group to win Triple J's Unearthed!!!!
https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/miribi-bunbal-yidaki-bumawa The tracks are amazing and we are so proud of you all.
Good luck!
It is important that all Aboriginal students attend the roll call breakfast in the Gunya Room. We encourage you to come for breakfast, catch up with what is happening in our community, get support and be around one another. At the moment we are learning the acknowledgment to country in Dhurga, this is a great opportunity to learn the local language and stay connected to your culture, which is very important. See below the days your year group need to attend Bumulaga Njin at 8.50-9.10am.
Monday Yrs 11 & 12
Tuesday Yr 7
Wednesday Yr 8
Thursday Yr 9
Friday Yr 10
Is in Q17 on Tuesdays 3.05-4.45pm and we would like to see you all there! We have a great bunch of amazing teachers/tutors from all subjects to assist. Please use this great resource to get the help and support that you need to be successful and organised. See you all there!!
Those who applied for Abstudy in 2020 the funds have been received by the school. The funds can be used for uniforms, stationery, excursions and electives.
See Samara if you would like to know if your Abstudy has been received.
The Aboriginal Education Team mentors have been working with students to complete overdue work and clearing N Awards. Senior Aboriginal student mentor Mrs Gough has been working with the senior students via Microsoft Teams and they have been smashing the N Awards. We have been working hard to get to all our students who need our support and arranging times for them to come to the Gunya room to work with either Mrs Gough - online or Samara. Mrs Gough works with and supports the senior students Years 10-12 and Samara works with the junior students Years 7-9.
If I am yet to see you and you feel you need extra support or help with your work please come to the Gunya room and we can arrange a time to meet. Samara.
If you would like to join either of these groups please let Mr Richardson or Mrs Grady know. We are in the process of recommencing our program and will let you know when we have a confirmed day and period allocated. In the meantime keep practising and learning about your culture so you can bring your new ideas along with you.
UHS Didge Crew, Miribi Bunbal - Yidaki Bumawa, were invited to participate in an Environmental and Reconciliation webcast as part of Reconciliation Week.
The webcast, hosted by Reconciliation and Climate Change captains from Ceder Girls Secondary School in Victoria, included a performances by Yidaki Bumawa to open and close the proceedings.
Senior Didge fellas, Jayden Perry and River Langford, contributed to the panel discussions alongside Wurundjeri elder, Murrundindi Woterang, a Wurundjeri woman and medicine student, Dan Rosendahl, archaeologist and Executive Officer for the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region and Lyn-Al Young, Gunnai, Wiradjuri, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta fashion designer and artist. "As a fisherman," explained Jayden, "I have seen changes in the environment even in my lifetime. There's not as many fish now and I'm noticing much more pollution.
I feel worried for the future. We need to care for our environment."
The Inspire, Succeed, Excel Aboriginal Education Excellence Awards acknowledge outstanding excellence of Aboriginal students in schools across the Illawarra South East. We would like to congratulate the following students who received the following awards:
Tear Locke
Trey Butler
Michael Salafia
Jason Rice
Takesa Frank
Deklan Barford
River Langford
Joshua Stewart
Henry Griffin
Samuel Griefahn
Jason Rice
Blaise McKenzie-Wiesberger
Jake Mines
Locklin Zerafa
Ashton Dihm
Kane Watson
Taylor Golle
Jayden Perry
Hudson Fishlock
Briley Hucman
Richard Howell
Dylan Walker
Noah Golle
Acknowledgment to Country is performed before all formal ceremonies and assemblies to show respect to Aboriginal people both past and present. We encourage all our Aboriginal students to learn the acknowledgement to country and be able to stand up proud and recite it at our school. Gunya, Dhugan and Bangarra roll call teachers have copies of the acknowledgement. If you would like a copy see Samara in the Gunya room.
Many hands make light work! Rory Pollock, Archie Henry, Briley Hucman, Cohen Hucman, Hudson Fishlock and Jason Rice went up to Little Forrest Rd, Milton to help Milton Rural Landcare with the rejuvenation of burn out land from the recent bush fires. There was a range of tasks that included assembling tree guards, digging holes, planting little tree/bush and back filling, installing tree guards, banging in stakes, watering in and making new friends. We are super proud of you all for putting your hand up to do this wonderful work for our community and environment. HUGE thank you to Ice for arranging and taking them as well as Uncle Clarrie Gibbs for helping out.
Well done boys.
Homework Centre is back for 2020 - Every Tuesday in Q17 3.15pm -4.45pm. Afternoon tea provided. Come get help with your work by a group of fantastic teachers and mentors. We encourage you all to attend. See you on Tuesday!!
Boonan UHS Aboriginal Girls Dance Troupe
Dance will start Wednesday Period 1 in the Movement Studio with Mrs Grady. If you would like to learn both contemporary and traditional Aboriginal dance I encourage all to come and try it out. This is a great opportunity to get involved in your culture and learn something new.
Come and have a go!
Miribi Bunbal UHS boys Didgeridoo Group
Didge practice is on Thursdays Period 3 in Q5. This is a great way to connect with the mob and learn about your culture. If you are interested please see Samara to write you name down. Mr Richardson will again be your mentor.
NRL School 2 Work Program 2020
The S2W Program has been operational since 2012 and utilises the positive profile of rugby league to support and encourage Year 11 & 12 Indigenous students to achieve their HSC and prepares them as they transition from school to employment or further education. This support continues for a further 12 months to assist them during this challenging time. If you are interested in participating please see Samara for registration forms.
Walawaani everyone and welcome back to another great year of success and opportunities!! Huge welcome to our Year 7's, all 23 of you.
This year you will be afforded many opportunities to learn your culture, attend summer camps, career days, leadership programs and much much more so please we encourage all of you to "Have a go". There are now 109 Aboriginal and TSI students at UHS, so lets grow and succeed together.
Koori Year 10 students River Langford and Tanaya North applied to attend the WMBB Summer School Program and were successful! We are proud of your initiative and know you will make the most out of this experience. The program is run by the University of Sydney's Wingara Mura - Bunga Barrabugu unit for Year 10, 11 and 12 students to give them the opportunity to stay on-campus, access world-class facilities and meet current university students. This program will equip River and Tanaya with useful skills for their final years at school and allow them to explore options for university and careers.
This week Budawang Public School students and UHS Aboriginal students completed the mural that we started during NAIDOC week. It was our pleasure to be able to assist the Budawang students in creating the Aboriginal inspired mural.
The UHS students that participated in the project were patient, under-standing and should be commended.
Thank you to Col Burns from Budawang for allowing our students to be part of this project and we look forward to continuing the great relationship we have with your school.
Our Year 8 student Mikayla Helms from the Ngampaa tribe is a UHS SRC representative who took part in organising Pride Month celebrations at UHS, we are all very proud of her contribution. Pride month is a time to celebrate and recognise the positive stance against discrimination and violence toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to promote their self-affirmation, dignity, equality rights, increase their visibility as a social group and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance. The Aboriginal Education Team at UHS support Pride Month and stand with our brothers and sisters.
Reconciliation Week Morning Tea was celebrated with an amazing performance by our Didge boys who performed in front of a multitude of invited guests, including the Ulladulla Public School leadership group (photo). Thank you to Mrs Toni Williams for making yet another beautiful cake to celebrate this occasion.
At the heart of reconciliation is the relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To foster positive race relations, our relationship must be grounded in a foundation of truth. This year’s theme is "Grounded in Truth, walk together with courage".
Mungo Young Project
The Aboriginal Boys Didge Ensemble, Miirbal Bunbal (12 UHS students), along with Mr Ring and Mr Richardson, took the 13 hour drive to Lake Mungo to participate in the Mungo Youth Project. The Mungo Youth Project provides students with skills in knowledge development and builds optimism, pride and confidence. It also provides students with a set of experiences that help embed them within the oldest living culture on the planet. With over 65,000 years of managing country, students come to this special place knowing that they are walking in the footsteps of people who emphasise the essential combination of country and culture. Ulladulla High School, along with the Aboriginal Education Team, are grateful for this opportunity. We look forward to hearing the boys stories.
On 4-5 April seven of our Koori boys, Mr Ring and John Field attended the traditional Bark canoe making workshop and Men’s gathering at the ANU campus Kioloa which was hosted by the ULALC. There were adults and other Koori boys from Nowra HS and Batemans Bay HS who attended. The boys learnt how to make bark canoes from scratch first stripping the bark from the tree using tools and being taught by our respected elders and community leaders. They made two canoes which will be launched NAIDOC Week in Ulladulla. The boys said they all had an amazing time and really enjoyed being around other Koori boys, learning about their culture and hearing yarns around the campfire. Thank you to the ULALC for the opportunity.
"I enjoyed this camp because I got to learn more about my culture and how to make a bark canoe like my ancestors would. I learnt all different things like the process of making a bark canoe from start to finish and the tools that were used. Meeting other Koori fellas from other schools and working with them to make the canoe was very rewarding" - Jayden Perry Year 10
This workshop aims to foster the development of dance skills and cultural significance for both experienced and inexperienced dancers from Years 7-12. During this workshop students with exceptional talent and potential will be identified to be considered eligible for selection for the 2019 NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company that will perform at the State Dance Festival and the 2019 Schools Spectacular. Throughout the workshop the students learnt contemporary Indigenous repertoires from some of Bangarras leading artists. Big thanks to Amanda Grady for taking the girls to Nowra to participate.
This project targets Indigenous Young Girls and Young Women on the South Coast in Years 7-12. Waminda work run a workshop once a term. The aim of the project is to run workshops that touch on topics such as mental health problems and trauma, improve school attendance/engagement and/or access to education and/or employment opportunities, support cultural connections and identity and building healthy lifestyle & relationships.
In the first session the girls created vision boards which showcased their inspirations and aspirations. A yarning circle was created to remind them of respect. The facilitators noticed that several of the girls were unsure of who their mob are and where they descend from so Waminda’s next session will focus on belonging, identity and reconnecting with culture.
On 12th June Mr Riddick accompanied three of our Koori students Keira Sloane, Tear Locke and Maisy Staples to a debating workshop in Batemans Bay. The theme this year is "Women closing the gap" to coincide with the 2018 NAIDOC theme ‘Because of her, we can'. We had great feedback from our students. Keira said she "had learnt a lot and loved the experience". The final part of the workshop consisted of a panel of Local Aboriginal Elders who shared their stories and opinions on what they believe could ‘Close the Gap'. The day was in preparation for the NAIDOC Week debating team and we look forward to following their journey.
It was a fantastic turnout for the 2018 Ulladulla High School Reconciliation Week Morning Tea. We had Aunty Nellie Mooney welcome all students and guests to country followed by an introduction to Reconciliation Week by Aboriginal staff Samara Williams and Sharon Bunyan.
Well done to the Koori girls who were involved in the dance production and the welcome song and the Koori boys who were involved in the didge performance at the morning tea. It was an outstanding show and it was wonderful to share morning tea with many Elders and community members. Thank you to Mrs Grady and Mr Richardson for their exceptional mentor skills for our dance and didge players. Thank you also to Mr Skinner and the entertainment students for making the performances run smoothly. A video of the Performance will be uploaded to our M-goals website for any parents or caregivers who are interested in watching the performance.
On 3rd March four UHS Aboriginal students attended Kiama High School for a Cultural dance workshop organised by Bangarra. Overall, it was a fantastic day for our students to learn about their culture and improve their dance techniques.
Aboriginal Elders and community members are invited to UHS for a morning tea commemorating National Reconciliation week and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture within UHS. The morning tea will be on Tuesday 29th May commencing at 10:30am in the school's MPC. Food will be provided and students will perform and share work with the community. The theme for NRW 2018 is ‘Don't Keep History a Mystery'. This year Australians Learn to Share and Grow – by exploring our past, learning more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures and developing a deeper understanding of our national story. Our Year 10 students will be learning about Rights and Freedoms so they will be attending and interacting with the community.
Ulladulla High's NSW State Naidoc Debating team proudly represented our school at Dubbo Zoo on the 30th October 2017. They won quite a number of debates, however, just missed out on the final due to points. An amazing effort! We would also like to thank Brendan, Sharon, and the Team.
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