Koori Korner

Last term Miribi Bunbal performed an amazing set of music at the Ulladulla Children's Centre. Chase Stewart and AEO Michelle also taught the children native animal dances. Everyone had a lot of fun joining in or watching. Michelle read a book and offered colouring ins and activities that the boys helped the children with. It was lovely to see everyone enjoy the time spent together.

Celebrating Artistic Excellence: Hunter Southwood and Jaryd Backhouse

We are thrilled to announce that Hunter Southwood and Jaryd Backhouse have been selected to participate in the prestigious Koori Kids After School Program, a testament to their extraordinary talent as Art Legends. This enriching art-making program takes place at the esteemed Shoalhaven Regional Gallery and spans eight exciting weeks, guided by the inspiring First Nations artists Karla Dickens, Jaz Corr, and Warwick Keen.

Throughout the program, our talented students will engage in a variety of creative projects, including the crafting of intricate masks, exploring the realms of video and photography, designing totem poles, and utilising found materials. This hands-on experience will empower them to develop their own unique visual language as they prepare for a remarkable exhibition at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in August. This innovative project has the generous support of Museum and Galleries NSW, which underscores the importance of fostering artistic expression within our community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery for their gracious hosting and to Allen Bloxsome for providing invaluable support and transport. We are excited to witness the growth and creativity of Hunter and Jaryd as they embark on this incredible artistic journey!

First Nations Defence AVN day (RAAF Aviation Motivation Program)

All UHS First Nations students recently had the opportunity to be involved in a hands-on simulator experience with the Defence Recruitment team. They also learnt about the opportunities within the defence and the broader aviation industry (including space). Many students really enjoyed the experience. There are also some great Defence Work Experience opportunities for students that are currently accepting applications for placements. Please check your emails for information. Julia Brooks and other staff are available and happy to help if assistance is needed for applications. Thank you to Natalee Johnston, LCDR, RAN from the Indigenous Aviation Motivation Program for all your organisation and effort to ensure that our students were exposed to this awesome opportunity.

Join Us for the Next Cultural Workshop Night

Last Wednesday, Wandarma Local AECG hosted its second of four Aboriginal youth cultural workshops for 2025 in collaboration with local community group Walking Together. Led by Michael Robinson, the evening focused on the theme of ochre, with rich stories shared. In Term 1, Michael shared local history, cultural dance, and boomerang throwing skills in a hands-on, engaging session. The next free Aboriginal youth cultural workshop will be held on Wednesday 20 August, 6:00–7:30pm at Milton Public School, with a delicious dinner provided (Hayden's Pies!). Please come along! No experience necessary. Parents/ guardians are welcome to stay with their children in the workshop or join the Wandarma Local AECG meeting with school leaders and community representatives and hear what's going on in our local schools and community. We hope to see you there!

(Psssst! What's the "AECG"? It's short for "Aboriginal Education Consultative Group" which is "our voice in schools" - a vital space for parents to raise ideas or concerns, and for schools to seek advice, share successes, and foster excellence in Aboriginal education. Parents can contact aecgwandarma@gmail.com and find more information at walkingtogether.au/aecg)

Exercise First Glance: Indigenous Youth Placement at Royal Military College

Lane Williams Year 12, Phoenix Williams Year 10, Hunter Cropper Year 10, and Remy Helms Year 9 left on Tuesday 6^th May to attend the Exercise First Glance five-day residential work experience at the Royal Military College Duntroon. This is a snapshot of what is involved in Army Officer Training, highlighting the different roles and experience you can have as an Army Officer and what is required to start an Army Officer Career. The boys returned last Friday from their camp. We look forward to hearing about their exciting week away.

If your student is interested in attending one of these camps, please make contact with Ms Brooks at the high school.

We Celebrate Aunty Nellie’s OAM

As a school, we are incredibly proud to congratulate Aunty Nellie on receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Aunty Nellie has been a guiding Elder in our school and community for many decades. Her dedication to education and reconciliation has shaped the lives of countless students and staff. She has worked in schools across the Milton-Ulladulla area, building cultural understanding and supporting First Nations education with strength and compassion. Her leadership, kindness and determination have created real change. She has taught us the importance of respect, identity, and truth-telling - and always leads with generosity and integrity. We, the staff and students - past and present - are so happy for Aunty Nellie and believe she is truly deserving of this honour. Congratulations, Aunty Nellie - we are so proud of you.

Walawaani

Hope you had a great return to school and are keen for a fantastic term ahead.

We say farewell and congratulations to Michael Lloyd who has received a fulltime position for 2025 as Classroom Teacher in Milumba Support Unit. He has been amazing and has brought a lot of Cultural creativity to our students who have completed some awesome work under his guidance. He is still at UHS and has a wonderful connection with our students and is very happy to keep supporting our students whenever he can.

A team from University of Sydney are doing a Drop-In session at the school library on Wednesday 6 May from 3pm to 4pm, to have a yarn with students interested in studying at the USYD in the future. All years are welcome but are focusing on Yr’s 10,11 and 12.

On Monday 12 May My Future Matters is being held at the school in the Aboriginal garden for Years 7 & 8 and 9 & 10. This is an initiative being run by the team at Woolyungah Indigenous Centre at Wollongong University which aims to familiarise students with the University and provide them with opportunities to think about their post-school options. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students so please sign and return the consent form that has been emailed out to parents and carers. Have a yarn with your students and encourage them to attend. Week 3 Monday 12^th May Session 2 Years 7 & 8 Session 3 Year 9 & 10.

Tuesday 13 May UHS is ‘Painting Up the Bus’ for Reconciliation Week. We are supporting a special community initiative as a hands-on way to take action for Reconciliation Week this year. This bus is going to be travelling across Australia connecting regional and remote communities through music and art. Please see attached flyer for more information.

This week we want to extend gratitude for all the hard work put in by staff and students during a very busy Term 1, we hope you enjoy a well-deserved term break.

Junior AECG

Students who are interested in joining the new Junior Aboriginal Educational Consultative Group (Junior AECG) please come and see AEO’s Michael Lloyd or Michelle McBride in Gunya room to get an information and application form.

My Future Matters

All First Nations students are encouraged to participate in the My Future Matters programs running during 2025, in partnerships with University of Wollongong’s Woolyungah Indigenous Centre. We are starting with a presentation for Year 11 and 12 on Tuesday 8th of April (Week 11) Session 3 in N2. Dates for future presentations for other years groups will be advised. Please check your emails for more information and to register interest in this valuable program.

We would also like to congratulate our AEO Erica East on the arrival of her beautiful baby boy Banjo. We wish Erica and Jarryd all the best.

Over the last week we had students participate in a NAIDOC art workshop lead by Leanne Brook of the ULALC, with students across multiple year groups contributing to fantastic artworks that had been collaborated upon by our neighbouring local schools.

First Nations families, Elders, staff and community members supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education met in the first AECG meeting of 2025 at Ulladulla Primary school to discuss school achievements, and prospective programs and initiatives in First Nations education within our schools. We extend our gratitude to all who came along and special thanks to the staff who volunteered their time and efforts in organisation and catering the event. We look forward to seeing you all for the next meeting in Term 2 at Budawang School on 21 May. We are excited to announce the establishment of a Junior AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group) and are looking for members across all year groups from UHS. If you are a student who is passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education matters and would like to apply, please see AEOs Michael Lloyd or Michelle McBride in the Gunya room for an information and application form.

Our Year 10 Aboriginal Studies students are finalising their works to exhibit to the whole community in the 2025 Ngulla NAIDOC Festival. They have created works based on this year’s NAIDOC theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy; with some of our students working together to celebrate Dhurga language revitalisation efforts. Ulladulla NAIDOC Festival on Friday 11 July 2025 is an all-ages community celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures with free entry and free food, activities and exhibits. This year marks 50 years of NAIDOC celebrations, celebrating the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors; so make sure to mark the date on your calendar to get amongst this great celebration and see the hard work of our Year 10 Aboriginal Studies students. AECG Meeting - The Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) is gathering 6:30pm Wednesday 26 March 2025. All Aboriginal students & their families are warmly welcome. Aboriginal students who haven’t gone before are encouraged to invite their parents and carers, and to come and participate in this meeting. Everything is provided including free dinner, free Hayden’s pies, and an awesome youth cultural workshop with Michael Robinson of Doolagartefacts. Make sure to register your interest and come along!

Our First Nations students who are interested in a collaborative NAIDOC art workshop offered from Leanne Brook of the ULALC are invited to come and lodge their interest with AEO Michael Lloyd or AEO Michelle McBride. Leanne is a great artist who has created this workshop with artwork featuring collaboration from students around the greater Ulladulla region, she is looking for students who are eager to learn and be responsible in helping with some of the final stages of this year’s collaborative artwork. The workshop will be running during Session 1 on Friday the 21st of March, so please let us know as soon as possible if your want to be part of this great opportunity.

We are proud to celebrate the students participating in the successful Seasons for Growth program; Seasons for Growth is a small group education program that supports children and young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and respond well to experiences of change, loss and grief. We wish to extend our thanks to those students involved in piloting the program at UHS, and to our companion staff helping run the program.

AECG Meeting - The Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) is gathering 6:30pm Wednesday 26 March 2025. All Aboriginal students & their families are warmly welcome. First-time participants are deeply encouraged to come along, the evening includes a free dinner and an awesome youth cultural workshop with Michael Robinson of Doolag artefacts.

This week we had the Year 7 on Country excursion in which students got to visit sites around Ulladulla, Burril Lake, and Cave shelter to participate in Cultural learning and Aboriginal games. Well done to Year 7 for participating enthusiastically and respectfully in these special places we are lucky enough to share.

Junior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students got to meet Lieutenant Commander Natalee Johnston of the RAAF to learn about careers in Defence and different learning pathways offered to our First Nations members. If you are 15 or over and would like to participate in a seven-day camp to get a first-hand experience of what a career in the RAAF is like, please see Michael Lloyd in Gunya Room or Julia Brooks in Careers to put your name down for an expression of interest.

We also had a visit from former student Kyron Pender working through the Shoalhaven Mental Health Hub who is running an out-of-school workshop ‘Out On Country’ – an opportunity to connect with culture, language and community by participating in activities in our local surrounds. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth can participate in bushwalking, fishing, traditional food preparation, crafting, storytelling and learning traditional knowledge. The Out On Country program runs on Thursdays from 9am until 11:30am, please watch this space on updates for how to access this program and upcoming events. We also extend our thanks for former student Asia Caddy of APM Employment Services visiting to provide information for students signing out of school who are looking to join the workforce in supports APM can offer for transition to work. Please reach out to your AEOs or Careers Advisor.

This week we say a fond farewell to AEO Erica East as she heads off for maternity leave for the rest of the year; we all wish her the best of luck on this exciting new life chapter. For all your AEO needs please reach out to AEOs Michael Lloyd and Michelle McBride in Gunya room.

Bunaan Yandabal dance workshops will be running every Wednesday during Session 4 in N2 lead by Amanda Grady. All First Nations students invited to come participate, no sign-up needed.

AECG Meeting

The Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) is gathering 6:30pm Wednesday 26 March 2025. All Aboriginal students & their families are warmly welcome. Aboriginal students who haven’t gone before are encouraged to invite their parents and carers, and to come and participate in this meeting. Everything is provided including free dinner and an awesome youth cultural workshop with Michael Robinson of Doolag artefacts.

We are excited to welcome Uncle Michael, who will be stepping in as Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO) while Erica is on maternity leave for the remainder of the year. Michael brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for supporting Aboriginal students and fostering cultural connections within our school community. We’re also pleased to have Michelle McBride continuing in her role as AEO two days a week, ensuring ongoing support and continuity for our students and programs. We wish Erica all the best during her maternity leave and look forward to the positive contributions Michael and Michelle will make in their roles.

As a new year kicks off at Ulladulla High, we warmly welcome back our First Nation students and community. It's great to see everyone ready for another year filled with learning, creativity, and connection to culture.

We’re excited to hear about all the experiences gained over the holidays, including stories from cultural festivals and time with family and community connecting to Country together. This year promises more opportunities to come together, learn, and celebrate our First Nation heritage. Keep an eye out for upcoming cultural events and activities throughout the term. Here's to a fantastic term ahead - welcome back!

As we wrap up for 2024, we celebrate the achievements, milestones, and community connections of our First Nation students and their families at Ulladulla High School. This year has been one of learning, growth, and celebration of culture.

We kicked off the year with a focus on cultural engagement and community collaboration, with our students participating in significant events such as Ulladulla Reconciliation Week, local Ngulla NAIDOC Festival, our NAIDOC Week and many other community events throughout the year. These moments of connection and reflection reminded us of the importance of coming together to honor our shared history and look toward a brighter future.

This year, our First Nations students have been deadly across so many areas, whether it’s been smashing academic goals, diving into creative projects, or excelling in sports. Additionally, we’re so proud to have two First Nations school captains leading the way, inspiring others and representing their culture with pride. Many of our students have also stepped up into leadership roles, acting as role models and cultural ambassadors for the school. What an incredible year it’s been!

A huge thank you to our UHS Ochre team, staff, and community members for their unwavering support and dedication to our students. Together, we are fostering a school culture that celebrates identity, builds confidence, and provides pathways for success for our kids. We look forward to another fantastic year in 2025, full of new opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.

Our Year 6 First Nation students had a fantastic afternoon at the high school, kicking off their transition journey with a fun and engaging session alongside our Ochre team. The afternoon was all about getting to know each other, breaking the ice, and building connections through language games and other activities.

Despite the weather throwing a curveball with a sudden thunderstorm, the students showed incredible enthusiasm and flexibility. Even though some of the games were rained out, everyone stayed positive and made the most of the time together. Their energy and good sportsmanship really stood out, creating a memorable experience for all involved.

A huge shoutout to the high school team for putting together such an important event, and a special thanks to the primary school AEOs for their ongoing support. This afternoon was a valuable step in helping our students feel comfortable and excited about the next chapter in their education journey. We can’t wait to see them thrive in high school!

Last Thursday we were honored to host Ripple Effect, an all-female rock band from Maningrida in Arnhem Land, NT and Lemonise, a band comprised of First Nation UHS Alumni and students from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. It was such a beautiful gathering of Aboriginal Studies students, First Nation students and keen music students all listening and learning off the women who so graciously performed for us, singing in the languages of their people: Ndjebbana, Burarra, Na-kara and Kune and yarning, sharing stories and answering student questions about their land, languages and culture.

Miribi Bunbal had actually met the women the weekend prior at the Giiyong Festival as a part of their culture camp and were so excited to have the opportunity to perform for the women who were very happy to see our young men connecting to their culture though the didge. We wanted to thank Ripple Effect, Lemonise, staff from the Con and all involved to make this unforgettable experience possible for our students.

The didg boys made us proud last weekend on an unforgettable journey of cultural immersion, growth, and connection.

Over just three days, we packed in about two weeks’ worth of experiences, all taking place on Country down in beautiful Merimbula. Throughout the camp, the boys delved into traditional skills and practices. Learning the art of spear making, painting their didgeridoos, and even cooking around the campfire. We danced, fished, told stories, crafted new ones, and reflected on our experiences through journaling. Just hanging out together, surrounded by Country, gave us a chance to strengthen our bonds and share in the joy and pride of culture.

The camp highlight was being part of the Giiyong Festival, which means “Come to welcome.” It was a powerful First Nations celebration that brought together people from all around to honour culture, heritage, and community. Miribi Bunbal dove in fully, jamming in the didg session and then finding ourselves backstage for a guest slot on the main stage—a huge moment for us!

We had the chance to be up close for some of the headline acts, including Koby Dee, Nooky, and BARKAA, who brought the energy and pride of First Nations music to life. So good!

A massive thanks to Moose (Mr. Lloyd) for his guidance, support, and for sharing his culture with us. His encouragement made this experience one that’ll stick with us forever.

Hamish Richardson Didge Mentor.

I would also like to add a big thank you to Mr Richardson for pulling this all together for our boys, they’ve had the most memorable time and have become more tight knit as a group because of it!

Erica

This weekend, our Didge Boys, Miribi Bunbal, will be heading off for an exciting cultural camp on the Far South Coast! They’ll be diving into cultural practices, learning from Elders, and connecting with each other and their heritage. This will be an unforgettable experience for the boys as they deepen their knowledge and celebrate what it means to be part of this community. As a part of the camp, they’ll be attending the Giiyong

Festival at Jigamy, just north of Eden, where they’ll experience incredible performances, participate in various workshops, and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture with mob from across the region. They’re all set for an unforgettable weekend, and we can’t wait to hear their stories and see the inspiration they bring back with them!

You're Invited to Giiyong Festival!

FREE bus trip from Ulladulla and FREE entry to the Giiyong Festival on Saturday 9th November.

Limited places. Registration essential.

About Giiyong: Giiyong Festival provides a rare opportunity in southeast NSW for the entire community to come together in celebration of Aboriginal arts, culture and resilience. Everyone is welcome at Giiyong Festival, which brings you the best Aboriginal performers, presenters and speakers in one big day.

You can register for siblings, friends and parents/guardians to come too!

When: Saturday, 9th November.

Where: Bus will be departing from Ulladulla High School and traveling to Jigamy.

Time: Bus will leave UHS at 6:30 AM to arrive at the festival from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and will return to UHS at approximately 6:30 PM.

No cost: free transport and free ticket/s. Plus, lunch can be provided for anyone in need. To register email WalkingTogetherMUD@gmail.com. Please give the names of all people you're registering for and please identify any that are under 18 years old and who will accompany them. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with culture and one another. We hope to see you there!

At our recent NAIDOC Assembly, we proudly recognized outstanding contributions with five NAIDOC Awards. Lilly Wooden was honoured for her commitment to culture and community, always stepping up to help and actively engaging in every opportunity to connect with her heritage. Cameron Davies received the award for his dedication to education and leadership, excelling as School Captain while managing his roles as a proud First Nation student and community leader. Georgia Lowe, a staff member, was acknowledged for her excellence in Aboriginal education. Her leadership revived the Community NAIDOC celebration and she has played a key role in the volunteer group Walking Together Milton Ulladulla District, while also providing unwavering support to local Elders. Kyle Lasker was awarded the Uncle Fred Carriage Award for educational strength and resilience, recognized for his cultural contributions, including performing at Shoalhaven City Council, volunteering for the Yes campaign, and delivering a heartfelt speech at his Year 12 Shoalhaven Koori Graduation. The Aunty Nellie Mooney Award for courage and compassion in education went to Lane Williams, whose patience, compassion, and support for fellow First Nation students and the Ochre team have left a lasting impact. In addition to these awards, we proudly presented traditional didgeridoos to three junior Mirribi Bunbal students, Jett Greene, Jonah Wellman, and Phoenix Williams as a mark of their dedication over the years and their emergence as leaders within the group. All of these awards are a tribute to change, culture and leadership and we are extremely proud of all the well deserving recipients.

Last week we celebrated NAIDOC with a full week of activities. From Futsal grand finals to smoke ceremonies we celebrated NAIDOC week here at UHS Blak, Loud and Proud! Some stand out activities included an amazing art day with rotating workshops of weaving, wood burning, screen printing, clay work and painting. We are so lucky to have talented artists and First Nation staff at school to share their skills with our students at these events.

The ochre team particularly Uncle John put on an amazing spread for our staff morning tea on Thursday with kangaroo, fish cooked over the fire, damper and salads with traditional ingredients. Thank you so much for everyone who helped!

Our annual touch footy day was exciting as ever and our teachers lost again sadly to the students 3-2. Thank you to all the PE staff who help make this happen year after year.

To finish off the week long celebration, our NAIDOC assembly wouldn't be possible without an army of help thank you to the incredible CAPA team, all of our deadly students who participated and performed and the ochre team for putting it together.

Welcome back mob and welcome to term 4!

We hope you all had an awesome break spending time with family and enjoying Country. This term we are looking forward to starting the transition process with our Year 6 First Nation students starting their High School journey with us next year. We also have our last AECG meeting for the year in week 2, Wednesday 23 October at 6pm in our school staff room. Community members and parents/carers of our students are highly encouraged to attend these meetings to find out what’s happening in our schools for our students and get involved with their education. I’d also like to wish Jhye, Bonni, Emma, Summer, Kyle, Reece, Blake, Sarayah, Jada and Anais good luck on their HSC exams! They’ve all worked so hard over the years and we’re all very proud of their achievements and getting to this last stage of their High School journey.

Have a good Term you mob!

We’re so proud to celebrate the graduation of 10 amazing Year 12 First Nation students at the 2024 Shoalhaven Aboriginal Student Graduation: Jhye, Blake, Kyle, Jada, Anais, Bonni, Reece, Summer, Sarayah, and Emma. It makes us so proud each year to see our students on stage receiving their certificates for all their hard work over the last 6 years and these guys are no exception. These students have worked incredibly hard, showing talent in music, community service, environmental work, and more. Their journeys weren’t always easy, but they’ve stayed strong and focused, and for many, they’re the first in their families to graduate. This achievement is a huge inspiration for future generations. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next, whether in further education or community work, and know they’ll continue to make a difference. Congratulations and again we so proud of you all! On behalf of the Ochre team we are want to wish you all a great break! Get out on Country, enjoying this warmer weather and being grateful for everything we have on offer on our beautiful coastline!

Aunty Nellie Mooney was born in Nowra in 1938 and grew up on Greenwell Point Road with fond memories of looking up at Cambewarra Mountain as a young child. Aunty Nellie attended school in Nowra and later in life worked at the Nowra Steam Laundry before getting married and having 4 beautiful children. Once she had children of her own, a teacher invited all Aboriginal parents to come to Ulladulla High School to see Laddie Timbery throw boomerangs. Members from the state AECG were in attendance at a morning tea following this and Aunty Nellie found out they wanted these parents to create an Aboriginal Homework Centre. This homework centre was the lifeline that kept many First Nation students in school and resulted in higher and higher numbers of students staying to complete their higher school certificate. It was from here that Aunty Nellie’s passion for education of Aboriginal students became ignited. Aunty Nellie remained working at Ulladulla High School as a beloved mentor for our students up until last year, after Aunt’s 85^th birthday. Recently we had a farewell dinner for our beloved Aunty Nellie, a woman who has selflessly supported First Nation students and their educational goals in our community for decades. We are so grateful for her passion and efforts with our students and will be forever indebted to her for paving the way for First Nation Education in our schools today.

The Ulladulla Community Expo is a vibrant local event that brings together a wide array of local businesses, community groups, and cultural performances, showcasing the rich diversity of the region. This year, we were so proud to have Mirribi Bunbal our didge group and Bunaan Yandabal our First Nation dance group perform at the opening of this event. Together, these performances reflect the vibrant First Nation history that is essential to our local area, making the Community Expo a celebration of both contemporary community spirit and the enduring traditions of the local Aboriginal culture. The event was an enriching experience for visitors of all ages, with opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate the unique identity of Ulladulla. Well done to our deadly students for getting up and proudly sharing their culture!

On Monday, 9 September 2024, we’ll be gathering at the Shoalhaven High School Hall to celebrate a special milestone, the 21st Anniversary of the Shoalhaven Year 12 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander student graduation.

It is always one of the greatest honours of our careers as First Nation support staff to watch our Year 12 graduates at their Koori Graduation. Watching each student proudly accept their graduation certificate on stage, with their families cheering them on is truly inspiring.

Working with these students throughout their high school journey has been a privilege, and we’re thrilled to continue supporting them as they take their next steps. Here’s to celebrating your achievements and looking forward to the exciting paths ahead!

Uncle Michael and Uncle Ron recently visited our school to engage with students in creating clap sticks and to teach them traditional song and dances. These performances will be featured in October as part of the Yila Healing Trail. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, gaining valuable insights with the sharing of knowledge and Dreaming stories about our local animals. The Yila Healing Trail is a 10-day event offering a rich array of activities, including workshops and cultural experiences, stretching from Kangaroo Valley to North Durras. This immersive experience invites participants to connect deeply with Country and traditional wisdom. The trail’s focus is on fostering pathways to profound wellness for individuals, families, and the natural environment, encompassing lands, seas, waterways, and skies.

Thanks to Mr Richardson for supporting our deadly didge (yidaki) players, mibiri bunbal (thunder stick). Our young men performed for our Munseong Middle School students and Chase proudly stepped up to acknowledge Country.

What's happening this week:

On Monday in the Aboriginal Garden 41 Koori students will work on the Clapsticks Orchestral learning a song and playing clapsticks with community members as part of a Shoalhaven wide festival on October 11-20^th .....stay tuned.

AECG meeting is Wednesday 21st August.

On behalf of the Ochre Team and the broader First Nations school community, we extend our warmest congratulations to First Nation students, Cameron and Jordan, two remarkable Year 11 students who have been awarded the prestigious role of School Captains at Ulladulla High School for the year 2025. Cameron and Jordan have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to their peers and the wider community. Their nomination is not only a testament to their individual achievements but also a reflection of their dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. The nomination of Cameron and Jordan as School Captains is a proud moment for the First Nations community, highlighting the important role that First Nation students play in shaping the future of our schools. Their journey will undoubtedly inspire other First Nation students to strive for excellence and take on leadership roles within their own school communities. Once again, congratulations to Cameron and Jordan. We look forward to witnessing their continued growth and success as they embark on this exciting new chapter in their academic and leadership journey.

Year 12 Graduation

Reminder, can all parents and carers of students in Year 12 please RSVP to erica.east7@det.nsw.edu.au or call the school at 4455 1799 for our Year 12 Shoalhaven First Nation Graduation as soon as possible.

Deadly Leaders

We are so proud of all our Koori students who chose to step up to lead as part of the Student Representative and Environment Council. Ten deadly Koori leaders have been nominated by their peers to embrace opportunities that will leave a lasting legacy for all students. Our students are leading by example to be comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it's a small price to pay for living a dream.

Cultural transmission

We are excited to be able to offer 41 students a place in our upcoming Clapstick Orchestra, this unique opportunity will give students an insight into a traditional tool making session with Michael Robinson from the Doolagar Artefacts Foundation. Sharing and Caring for country centres on the relationships between Indigenous peoples and their country, which includes their lands, waters, plants, animals, heritage, culture, ancestors, and laws. Caring for country activities reinforce and support Indigenous peoples’ relationships with their physical, cultural, social, economic, and environment. We are excited to be part of the Yila Healing trail program in October to showcase our learning. Erica our AEO will be taking names this week, numbers are limited so keep your eyes peeled in the student notices.

Exciting news for our local community...something we haven't seen since 2019.... Ulladulla NAIDOC Festival is back! Ulladulla NAIDOC Festival is starting up again this year at the Civic Centre in the next school holidays on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th July. It's a free community event with a free BBQ each day and free activities for all ages. The two day festival will include a smoking ceremony by Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Land Council, didgeridoo workshops with Jayden Perry, weaving circles and more! We would love to see you all down there!

A reminder to any Year 12 student interested in applying for the University of Wollongong through the Indigenous Admissions Pathway process, July intake applications close on July 7th!

HOW TO APPLY

1: Apply online; via our Woolyungah Indigenous Centre IAP website.

2: Career chat: Woolyungah will call you to discuss your career goals to ensure they align with your study pathway.

3: Assessment: Complete a Numeracy, Literacy and Comprehension assessment.

4: Interview: Be interviewed by an Academic from the degree you are interested in studying & a staff member from Woolyungah.

Recently our students had a visit from personnel and recruiting teams from the Australian Airforce, Defence force and Navy. It was an awesome day where students had a go at flying jets and helicopters on virtual reality simulators and discuss study and work options through the forces post school. These opportunities to speak to Indigenous liaison officers working in the field are vital for our students to make direct connections and have meaningful yarns about the options available to them all. We were also so happy to have First Nation students from Ulladulla Primary School come up and join in the fun! Thank you to Nathel and staff from UPS for bringing the students up and a huge thank you to the crews that came out to spend time educating our students and encouraging their futures after high school.

In Week 6 both Year 11 Aboriginal studies welcomed special guests from the Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Lands Council. Aunty Lynette Mills and Jayden Perry unpacked the role of ULALC in supporting the local Aboriginal community. The Role of Administration Manager, Housing officer and support services were shared for students to have a deeper understanding of services to support First Nations Australians. Students are completing a Local Community Case study which will support their Major Research Report in Term 4. We thank the ULALC for sharing their knowledge and wisdom with us.

We were lucky enough to have the deadly Woolyungah team in from UOW last week. Enriching sessions were held for students from Years 7 to 12, providing tailored guidance and support. Year 7 and 8 students focused on "Planting the Seed," engaging in cultural experiences and discussions to envision their future educational and career paths. Year 9 and 10 students participated in "Growing Your Own," involving goal setting, subject selection, and cultural activities to empower informed decisions about their futures. Senior students in Years 11 and 12 attended "Branching into Your Future," preparing for life after school with support from the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre to ensure a confident transition. We’re so grateful for the ongoing outreach programs from UOW supporting our students.

Congratulations to our AEO Erica East who got married on the weekend to her partner Jarryd. We wish you both a life of love and happiness.

Reconciliation Morning Tea

On Tuesday there will be a Reconciliation morning tea at 11.45am. Community members and staff are invited. RSVP to Sharon Bunyan 44551799.

The morning tea is being prepared and facilitated by the Big Picture Academy and Year 11 Aboriginal Studies students. Students in Djamaru will be discussing the importance of Reconciliation Week and Sorry Day.

Sorry Day links to the Year 8 HSIE subject Contact and Colonization and Year 10 Rights and Freedom Units of work currently being studied.

Reminders

Our second AECG meeting for the year is on Wednesday the 22nd of May. It will be held at the new Budawang school site located next to the Heritage Bakery in Milton. From 6pm we will have dinner with the meeting to commence from 6:30pm. Community members, parents and carers of First Nation students are all encouraged to attend.

Also next Tuesday we have the Woolyungah Team from UOW coming down to deliver their My Future Matters program for our students. These sessions will range from ‘Planting the Seed’ of university and ‘Growing our Own’ futures for our young people to ‘Branching into Your Future’ for our senior students with targeted support around what their lives can look like after school and exploring post-school options.

Reminder that coming up on Wednesday the 22nd of May our second AECG meeting for the year will be held at the new Budawang school site located next to the Heritage Bakery in Milton. From 6pm we will have dinner with the meeting to commence from 6:30pm. Community members, parents and carers of First Nation students are all encouraged to attend.

First Nations Art Competition

Headspace Nowra has organised a First Nation Youth Art Competition for students 12-25 years old. Selected artworks will be showcased at an exhibition and prizes to be won up to $500. Registrations close on the 26th of June. Details on how to apply on the flyer.

Welcome back for Term 2!

We were lucky enough to have the crew from the Navy come out and visit our students on the last day of school last term. The team set up a range of different virtual reality simulators giving our students the opportunity to fly Navy helicopters and aircraft. Our students loved this experience additionally, the opportunity to speak to current Navy personnel about the different pathways our students have to gain entry into the Navy.

Additionally, next Tuesday we have Air Commander Stuart Bellingham and Flight Lieutenant and Diversity and Inclusion Officer Krystal Perkins visiting our First Nation students to talk all things Air Force. Their presentation will include the different entry pathways, job opportunities and all about life in the Air Force. This presentation is available to all First Nation students and it's an opportunity you won't want to miss!

Next term we will be kicking off with our Gunya Yarn Up on Monday and Wednesday afternoons in L3. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to get one on one assistance with school work, applications and resume writing among other things that fall under our students needs. Looking forward to seeing your students attend next term! As term 1 is coming to a close I wanted to say how proud I am of all of the hard work our students have put in over the last 10 weeks! Our new First Nation Year 7 students have settled in well getting involved with our didge and dance groups while our 4 school-based traineeship students are smashing the first couple weeks at work. We are so incredibly proud of you all! From the whole Ochre team we wish all you mob a happy and safe holiday and look forward to seeing all of your fresh faces back for term 2!

We are excited to announce that our Gunya Yarn Up will be running from this week every Monday and Wednesday afternoon. This is an opportunity for students to get access to regular support from a teacher in a small group setting. This support can range from assistance with assignments, organisational support, study skills and assistance with resume or application writing. The Yarn Up runs from 3pm- 5pm however, students are free to stay for as much or as little time as they wish. We recommend attending each week even for 30minutes to build good habits and regular study. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Thank you to Mr Richardson who has been mentoring these three boys in their own time to perfect their craft. The young men are practising to perform in front of their peers at the Year 12 formal later in the year.

Next week our AEO Erica will be away at Uni studying for the week however AEO Aunty Michelle will be in to take her place.

After consulting our students, we have decided to make our Gunya Yarn Up for 2024 on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 3pm – approx 5pm. This will be starting from Week 7 when Erica is back from Uni. These sessions will be designed around organisation and study support with cultural projects and activities incorporated. If you would like your child to attend our Gunya Yarn Up but are unable to provide transport, please email me: erica.east7@det.nsw.edu.au

Our Ochre team are absolutely loving Djamaru and the opportunity it brings to get together as a group every day. This connection is so important for our students to get to know each other as First Nation people and to build strong relationships with the staff that make up our team. During this time our students are working on study and organisation skills, goal setting and relationship building activities.

Don't forget, 28th of February 6pm at the Country University Centre for our AECG Community Meeting.

NEWS - 19th February

I hope everyone had a good week 3 and is feeling settled back into school life! Please see below information for a community meeting hosted by our local Wandarma AECG. Attending the AECG meetings is an excellent opportunity for families and community members to have a say in the education of our First Nation students and the programs that get run to support their success. We would love to see you in attendance at this community meeting.

Wandarma Local AECG Community Meeting

6pm Wednesday 28th February, Country University Centre, Princes Highway Ulladulla

We warmly invite families of First Nation students to join us in ensuring our kids have the best support in their education. Wandarma engages families alongside school principals and representatives to consult on what is happening within schools and support educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in our community.

Walawanni you mob!

Welcome to 2024! As usual we have so many things to be excited about this year. We have a fantastic Ochre team including Aunty Sharon Bunyan as our Coordinator, Aunty Michelle McBride as AEO 2 days a week, Erica East as AEO 5 days a week, Elise Waser as our executive and many teachers working with us as student mentors.

We are also really excited to have 3 of our own Djamaru roll calls this year. This will give us extra opportunity to check in with our students daily and to ensure they have all supports available to them in place.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of our team, please feel free to call the school and we will be in touch!

Have another deadly year you mob, looking forward to seeing great things from you all in 2024!

Michelle McBride and Erica East

Aunty Sharon Bunyan

Walawaani!

As we come to the close of another incredible year, it's time to reflect on the remarkable achievements and experiences our students have embraced throughout the school year.

From Southern Stars, where our talented Bunaan Yandabul students worked with mob across the state, to the growth and strengthened cultural bonds of Miribi Bunbal, it's been a year filled with noteworthy moments. Our engagement in the My Future Matters program with the University of Wollongong brought valuable insights to our students, paving the way for exciting future pathways and students have embarked on new opportunities with SBATs and TAFE courses.

NAIDOC Week left an incredible mark on community, with spirited performances and engaging activities that resonated with all. We finished the year with a heart warming Koori Graduation ceremony, celebrating the achievements of our 5 Year 12 First Nations graduating students. Their hard work and dedication has been amazing to watch.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our dedicated Ochre team, our families, and the broader community. We express our gratitude for the collaborative effort that made this year a success.

We can't wait to embark on new adventures in 2024. To our incredible community, thank you for your support, and we look forward to reconnecting soon. Wishing you all a safe and well-deserved break! Take care, and see you soon mob!

I've had the opportunity to connect with several of our transitioning Year 6 parents over the past 2 weeks. It has been so good to meet a lot of new parents and carers!! Lots of excitement and a few nerves, though all families can be assured that whilst High School is a big step we have a large Ochre team ready to support your students throughout their High School career. These meetings will be ongoing in the weeks ahead.

Michelle McBride facilitated a fantastic session with Year 8 during their recent Survivor Camp. Michelle collaborated with Sharon McCutcheon in conducting a workshop centred around Aboriginal symbols, imagery, and storytelling using message sticks. The students were then tasked with writing messages of empathy to a classmate or expressing gratitude, which they attached to the message stick tree. The end result was beautiful!

Lots of things are happening to wrap up the term and school year here for our Ochre team. We have started meeting with our transitioning Year 6 First Nation parents to talk all things transition and what supports we can put in place to ensure a successful first year of high school. Please call and ask to speak to our AEO Erica if you would like to book in a meeting.

Year 6 into 7 Information Night is happening Monday evening the 27th of November. This is an excellent opportunity to meet some of your student's teachers and deputies whilst understanding what they will need to succeed next year. Our AEO Erica will also be there this year so please come and say hello!

Our Year 7 and 8 students had a deadly morning with UOW's Woolyungah team to plant the seeds for their future through conversations with their team and Woolyungah student ambassadors. In addition to this, the team facilitated conversations around connection to Country and how to respect and look after Country. Thanks again Jamie and the team for working alongside us to support our students' futures.

Last Friday we had the pleasure of hosting the First Nation rotation of the Year 6 into 7 Taster Day in our Aboriginal Garden. Four stations were set up and led by high school First Nation students where the Year 6 students got to create their own stories using Aboriginal symbols, use a burner to create a message stick for their school, play fly and learn about some common artefacts including a woomera, clap sticks and got to have a go at a bullroarer. A massive thank you to our students that helped to facilitate such an awesome experience for the Year 6 students.

Last week our AEO Erica has spent time at Milton Public School and Ulladulla Primary School completing and collecting Personal Learning Plans (PLP’s) for our transitioning Year 6 students. It’s been so great to meet them all and see how excited they are about High School. We are now in the process of contacting each of these parents for our Family Contact Week in Week 7 to ensure all our transitioning students and their families are prepared and equipped with everything they need for their first year of High School in 2024.

This week, we had the joy of commemorating the 85^th birthday of our beloved elder, Aunty Nellie. We consider ourselves truly fortunate to have her dedicated presence, as she tirelessly contributes to the growth and development of our students every week. For more than three decades, she has served as an invaluable asset to not only our students but also our entire school community. A massive Happy Birthday to you Aunty Nel.

We are so proud of Year 10 student Hope who has been selected as one of 10 winners of The Educational Pathways Program’s (EPP) Aboriginal artist competition. As a part of Hope’s prize, she was invited to participate in an online Art Workshop with Gomeroi Artist Jakeob Watson. She has won a $300 gift card to Officeworks to buy artwork supplies and now she will be creating her own piece that will be displayed for Department of Education, Educational Pathways Program that’s due later this year. Congratulations Hope!

Camp Aspire

Macquarie University is running Camp Aspire this January 2024. Camp Aspire is an all-inclusive 3-day camp for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 11 and 12 in 2024. Across the camp, participants will take part in a range of activities allowing them a taste of what their dream degree involves, meet external organisation representatives, be involved in Cultural activities, make deadly connections and develop an understanding what university is all about.

DATES: Monday 15th to Wednesday 17th January, 2024

LOCATION: Activities and accommodation will be held at Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde 2109. Accommodation is at Dunmore Lang College, Macquarie Park 2113

COST: No cost to the student or their school, all costs of the camp will be covered by Walanga Muru

WHO: 2024 Year 11 and Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

We had the honor of hosting First Nations Flight

Lieutenant Kyrstal Perkins and Air Commodore Stuart Bellingham from the Royal Australian Air Force. Their visit was an invaluable opportunity for our First Nation students to explore Indigenous pathways and discover the myriad of opportunities available within the Air Force. Flight Lieutenant Kyrstal Perkins, shared her personal journey, highlighting the unique experiences and achievements of Indigenous individuals in the military. Her insights provided our students with a real-life perspective on the exciting and fulfilling careers attainable through the Air Force. Air Commodore Stuart Bellingham’s wealth of knowledge and leadership in the field shed light on the various roles, responsibilities, and support systems available for aspiring individuals. The engagement was not only informative but also motivational, as our students had the chance to ask questions and engage in conversation that sparked curiosity and enthusiasm. The visit aimed to inspire and encourage our First Nation students to consider a future in the Air Force, emphasizing the diverse paths and support networks available to them. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Flight Lieutenant Kyrstal Perkins and Air Commodore Stuart Bellingham for sharing their time, expertise, and stories with our students. This was one of many visits we have had from the Australian Air Force and shows their commitment to supporting our First Nations students at Ulladulla High.

Our final AECG Meeting for the year will be held this Wednesday at the new Budawang School site located next to the Heritage Bakery in Milton. 6pm dinner with the meeting to commence from 6:30pm. Community, parents, and carers are encouraged to attend.

The Pathfinders National Aboriginal Birth Certificate Program (PNABC) is making it easier for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for and receive their birth certificate. Without a birth certificate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are excluded from many of life’s important moments – driving a car, applying for a job, enrolling in school and sport, opening a bank account, voting, and accessing government services.

Access their website for further information on accessing their services. Alternatively, you can contact a member of our Ochre team for support in this process. https://pathfinders.ngo/projects/aboriginals/aboriginal-birth-certificate-project/

Welcome back mob and welcome to Term 4! We hope you all had an awesome break spending time with family and enjoying Country.

This term we are looking forward to starting the transition process with our Year 6 First Nation students starting their High School journey with us next year. We also have our last AECG meeting for the year in week 4. Community members and parents/carers of our students are highly encouraged to attend these meetings to find out what’s happening in our schools for our students and get involved with their education. I’d also like to wish Maddi, Hudson, Toby, Dylan and Deegan good luck on their HSC exams! They’ve all worked so hard over the years and we’re all very proud of their achievements and getting to this last stage of their High School journey.

Have a good Term you mob!

Koori Korner News

Congratulations to Hudson and Dylan on receiving their didgeridoo at the Year 12 Graduation ceremony last term. The passing on of the didge is a tradition to congratulate our First Nation students on their journey through culture at UHS.

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week couldn't have been better! We were blessed with the sun shining on us all week as we worked with talented First Nation community members including Melissa Henry who facilitated an art workshop, along with First Nation UHS teacher Michael Lloyd and Mrs Boonaerts, Ngaire East facilitated a weaving workshop where she worked with students in creating a deadly wall hanging for our Aunty Nellie Mooney. Ben Barry served up kangaroo burgers for staff on Tuesday followed by a heated touch footy round robin and grand final of students vs. teachers which didn't end so well for us staff.

Lastly it was a beautiful wrap up of the week with a morning tea in our Aboriginal garden with Aunty Nellie. A massive thank you needs to go out to all staff and students who help make this week a success for us each year. We absolutely could not do it without your help. Our NAIDOC Assembly will be taking place this Friday 22 September at 12:20pm in the MPC followed by an afternoon tea. Parents, carers and community members please come along to celebrate NAIDOC with us and the wonderful things our First Nation students are doing at Ulladulla High.

This week we had one of the greatest honours in our careers as First Nation support staff taking our 5 Year 12 graduates to their Koori Graduation at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre. Deegan Lawlor, Dylan Walker, Hudson Fishlock, Maddi Morris and Toby Roberts all proudly accepted their graduation certificates on stage with their families cheering them on from the audience. It has been our privilege to work with these students through their high school career and our team looks forward to continuing to support them on their post school journeys. Congratulations again!!

Reminder that our AECG meeting will be held next Wednesday the 6th of September at Milton Public school at 6pm. Come along for dinner and a yarn about how our school community can support your children.

Walawaani,

A few reminders for the coming weeks...!
On Wednesday 6th September our AECG Meeting will be taking place at Milton Public School. Dinner will be at 6pm, meeting to commence at 6:30pm. We highly encourage community members, parents and carers of our students to attend these meetings regularly.

Southern Stars show week is here! After many weeks of rehearsals and cultural emersion days our students are finally ready to show you what they have been working so hard on. Our school has many students performing in this year’s Southern Stars including our Bunaan Yandabal who are joined by 100+ First Nation students from over the state to open the show with a moving piece of work that depicts our culture’s rich history and our story of resilience. Tickets are still available for the show, head to the Southern Stars website to grab yours.

Our AEO Erica will be off site next week attending this year’s Snow Trip with Year 9 students. Please call the school to have any urgent messages passed on.

We were so proud to have Riley and Bayden Morris perform the Didge alongside their teacher Mr Richardson to welcome the group of Korean students and teachers visiting our school this week. Being able to share our beautiful culture with people that come from such rich cultures themselves is such a special experience and something we are truly honoured to be a part of. Well done boys!

Reminder that next Thursday the 17th August any students performing as a part of the Southern Stars Aboriginal Dance group will have their final rehearsal. Bus will be leaving from the top of the school at 7am sharp. Students are required to bring full black tights and t-shirt costumes ready for painting.

Reminder that next Thursday the 17th August any students performing as a part of the Southern Stars Aboriginal Dance group will have their final rehearsal. Bus will be

AECG Meeting

Our next AECG meeting is coming up this month. It will take place at 6pm on 23rd August at Milton Public School. We encourage all parents and community members to attend.

Goulburn Police Tour

There is an opportunity for First Nations students in Year 10, 11 or 12 to attend a tour of Goulburn Police Headquarters on 28th August. This is for students who have an interest in pursuing policing as a career post school. There are only four spots available, so see Erica ASAP if you are interested.

Aspiring Artists

The Educational Pathways Program is calling all aspiring artists to submit artwork that tells their story. Submissions are in the draw to win amazing prizes. Expressions of Interest close 11th August, find out more at: education.nsw.gov.au/educational-pathways

Keep in Contact

Senior students, keep abreast of any excursions, work experience, scholarships and post-school opportunities by being up to date with your emails and Sentral announcements.

Another week of Southern Stars rehearsals saw our students collaborating with First Nation students from across the state. It's so special watching our students bond with others over culture. It is truly an honour as teachers and support staff to enable these opportunities for our students.

Another deadly highlight of Week 2 was definitely Year 12 student Deegan Lawlor creating a beautiful message stick depicting his journey this year working closely with his teacher who is finishing up this week to begin her maternity leave. Miss Whitford and students helping Deegan were moved by his thoughtful gift.

Awesome work Deegs!

Welcome back for Term 3!

We have a massive term ahead of us with Southern Stars rehearsals and show week, our AECG Meeting on the 23^rd of August and our NAIDOC Week Celebrations happening in Week 9. Please stay updated with further details of these events as they approach!

Bunaan Yandabal, with 180 other First Nations students from across the state came together for their first rehearsal for their Southern Stars performance this week. Our students had a great time getting together with all of the First Nations students, some coming from as far as Young Public School. This is going to be a moving performance and we are so grateful of our students, parents and carers and wider school community for getting behind our students, supporting them to be a part of such a big event!

Information has also gone out this week for any First Nations students in Years 11 and 12 wanting to study Law or Criminology at UNSW. Please see Erica for further details.

The Far South Coast Dance Festival recently took place at Batemans Bay, captivating audiences with a mesmerizing display of artistic expression, skill, and passion. Our group, Bunaan Yandabal had the privilege of opening the event with a performance and delivering the Acknowledgement of Country. The festival showcased a diverse range of dance styles and performers from the region and beyond, bringing the community together in a celebration of movement, music, and culture. Our girls did an incredible job again making us so proud of each one of them.

There are lots of exciting things coming up in our community as we wrap up for the term!

Bunaaan Yandabul are performing at the Far South Coast Dance Festival tomorrow, at Milton Public School and Budawang School on the 28th and Ulladulla Primary on the 29th as part of their deadly NAIDOC week celebrations. Get out into the community and attend one of these events!

Also wanted to wish you all a deadly holidays. Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you all revived and ready to go for Term 3!

As we wrap up a short week I wanted to encourage all you mob to seek help with any assessments that are coming up towards the end of term. Seek help from your teachers, from Erica in the Gunya room and use the awesome facilities in the Gunya homework Centre to make sure you're submitting your best work!

Reminder that next Friday the 23rd we have the mob from Woolyungah coming into the school to have a yarn about all things Wollongong Uni. Please return your notes to Erica as soon as possible.

Student shout out!

This has to go to Deegan Lawlor in Year 12 for this deadly cake he made for his Aboriginal Studies class!!

Walawaani all,

As the term closes in it is more important than ever to be accessing valuable resources that the school has to offer in support with school assignments, homework and study strategies. Our Gunya Homework centre is open Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons in Q Block from 3:05pm – 5pm

We had a deadly Reconciliation Week Morning Tea at school put on by Mr Barry and his Society and Culture students who paid beautiful tribute to our First Nations people and demonstrated why it is such a crucial time to show recognition of the past and work together for a mutually respectful future as a united Australia. Thank you, Mr Barry and your lovely students!

On Monday 29th May Bunaan Yandabal had the honor of being asked to open and deliver the Acknowledgement of Country at the Public Education Foundation Awards at Town Hall in Sydney. Dance teacher Amanda Grady created a beautiful piece that depicted each individual student's cultural journey then progressed onto the girls supporting each other as they undertake this lifelong journey together. We are so incredibly proud of all involved! It was an experience our students will never forget.

National Sorry Day, 26th May.

This day serves as an acknowledgment of the historical injustices and trauma inflicted upon the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a day to reflect on the policies of forced removal of Indigenous children, known as the Stolen Generations, and to express sincere remorse for the pain and suffering caused.

National Reconciliation Week, 27th May to the 3rd June.

This is a time for all Australians to come together and build meaningful connections between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The week serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey towards reconciliation, promoting respect, equality, and cultural diversity.

By fostering empathy, understanding, and genuine reconciliation, these significant dates encourage Australians to confront the painful truths of the past, recognise the resilience and strength of Indigenous cultures, and work together to contribute to a brighter and more harmonious future for all Australians.

Last week we said a very difficult goodbye (for now) to Shane Snelson, member of the Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Lands Council and amazing friend and mentor to Ulladulla High School. Shane has been working with our staff and students for over a decade, providing knowledge on our local area, teaching our students traditional practices and educating our staff on cultural awareness and sensitivity. Shane is an accomplished artist who commissioned many artworks for our school and frequently volunteered his time, sharing his talents with our students. Through his artwork, Shane often symbolises the importance of family and our local community. He is about supporting people and bringing people together. All great qualities of this wonderful man. When working with our Frist Nations students, Shane would often reflect on his own time at high school, encouraging the students to always “have a crack”. Another valuable piece of advice that Shane has, that’s been fostered in him through his family and members of his community is that young First Nations people need to embrace their culture and be proud of who they are.

Again Shane, we thank you for all of the love and time you have put into our school and its students. You are such a wonderful person and our whole school community wishes you and your family the best of luck in Queensland.

See you soon, Ochre Team.

REMINDER:

AECG Meeting will be hosted by Ulladulla High School this Wednesday, the 24th of May. 6pm dinner, meeting to commence at 6:30pm. We encourage all First Nations parents to attend these meetings to get involved in the discussion on what’s happening in our local schools for our First Nation students

Last week our students that are performing in the 2023 Southern Stars Aboriginal Dance group, Yanggaa Garaba, got the opportunity to come together and have an on country day in preparation for the upcoming rehearsals and performance week. The crew put on an awesome day and our girls had such a good time meeting and working with other First Nations students.

Reminder! Homework Centre is on, each Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon in Q10! Students are welcome to bring a friend, come for a yarn and get help with some homework and organisation tips.

A big welcome to Michelle, who has been working at UHS recently as relieving AEO. Many students and parents may recognise Michelle from UPS where she worked as AEO for a number of years. You will see Michelle popping into the Gunya room a number of times throughout the year if Erica is away, so make sure you stop in and say Hi!

Don't forget Homework Centre will be back on starting this week. We meet in Q17 straight after school and provide an afternoon snack, computers and assistance in completing homework and assessment tasks. This is a great place to get connected and be organised.

A massive thank you to all our First Nations and Aboriginal Studies students who have been stepping up to help run games and activities for both the primary school and Year 7 students. It is encouraging to see your leadership and communication skills developing. If you are interested in participating more in these types of opportunities, have a chat to Erica.

Our students had so much fun last week supporting Ulladulla Primary School students on their Stage 2 History Excursion with a First Nations focus. A group of our students facilitated Indigenous Games for the primary students to learn about and enjoy. Thank you to Ulladulla Primary for inviting us and a massive thank you to our students for helping out on the day!

Homework Centre for Term 2 is starting in Week 3! We look forward to seeing you all back in and taking advantage of this excellent opportunity.

Walawaani! Welcome back everyone! I hope you all had a deadly break and were able to spend some time on country, appreciating our beautiful surrounds that our First Nations people have looked after since time.

Our Staff Development Day was an awesome first day back focusing on Aboriginal Education and improving the outcomes for our First Nations students. We had various rotating groups helping our staff to extend their knowledge of First Nations histories.

It's going to be a big term with Southern Stars Rehearsals, Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week and our primary schools NAIDOC celebrations. Please keep an eye on this space for any further information about these events.

We are having another awesome session on the 4^th of May, Week 2 Term 2 with the crew from the Australian Airforce. The team are 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.

As Term 1 is coming in to a close I want to say how proud I am of all of the hard work our students have put in over the last 10 weeks! Our new Koori Year 7 students have settled in well getting involved with our didge and dance groups whilst Year 11 student, Emma-Jane Binder is smashing the first couple weeks of her school based traineeship with National Parks.

From the whole Ochre team we wish all you mob a happy and safe holidays and look forward to seeing all of your fresh faces back for Term 2!

Aboriginal Studies Major Works

Our Year 12 Aboriginal Studies major works are well underway, with students exploring a variety of topics and avenues of creative expression to represent issues affecting First Nations Peoples in contemporary society. Brooke Goodworth is curating Indigenous art on a rugby jersey to illustrate why racism is affecting First Nations Australians on the football field. Meanwhile, Laura Hoyer is crafting a colouring book in the Dhurga language with the intent to Close the Gap on Early Education for First Nations students. Pheobe Potter is creating a mixed-media artwork to raise awareness on the extent with which violence against women impacts First Nations communities. Furthermore, Brighid Beechroft's artwork on Mina Mina Jukurrpa reflects the cultural significance of Dreaming stories.

Dance Workshop

Mrs Grady will be facilitating our cultural dance girls to participate in an online dance workshop delivered by Bangarra. If you have not yet registered for this opportunity, please do so promptly.

Reminder this Wednesday Wandarma Meeting

Dinner 6pm Meetings start at 6.30pm sharp

Wednesday

Ulladulla Public School

Green Street Ulladulla

Our First Nations Personal Learning plans are going off this time of year! These plans are an opportunity for our school to get to know our First Nations students better, what they thrive in and what areas of support we can offer your child. Please call the school to book in a time to have your Parent/Guardian component of your child’s PLP completed.

Message from Wandarma

Good Afternoon Ulladulla community-I hope Term 1 is treating you all well.

A reminder our term one meeting is approaching.

Dinner 6pm Meetings start at 6.30pm sharp

Wednesday March 22nd 2023

Ulladulla Public School

Green Street Ulladulla

Look forward to seeing you there!

Our Gunya Yarn Up/Homework Centre has kicked off with a great turn out of students. Running each Tuesday and Wednesday from 3-5pm, this is a time we get together as a group to have a yarning circle, build relationships as a group, reflect on our week and learn more about our culture. All First Nations students are welcome to attend. Each Tuesday and Wednesday Q10 and Q17.

Student Highlight

We are so proud of Year 11 student, Emma-Jane Binder who has officially signed her paperwork to begin her School Based Traineeship with National Parks throughout Year 11 and 12. Congratulations Emma and we wish you all the best!

27/02/23

At the end of 2022, our First Nations students Jordan Magi and Bonni Emmerson attended the UOW Woolyungah Indigenous program for Year 9 and 10 students. Travelling up by bus, the camp started with a smoking ceremony and student introductions. Both Bonni and Jordan were able to attend a variety of taster sessions around the University in classes of medicine, science and childcare. They also got to participate in a music session and compose their own song. This program provided an introduction into the initiatives and scholarships made available to First Nations students upon entering University. Another focus was on bringing First Nations perspectives into study. Bonni said that her favourite aspects were meeting new people and being shown around the University. She also noted that she feels more comfortable now about the idea of going to University now that she has connections to the staff who can offer support.

20/2/23

This Thursday 23^rd February on school photo catch up day we will be having a group Gunya photo taken with all of our First Nations students and our Ochre Team.

All First Nations students please come in full school uniform and meet at the COLA stairs at the start of first break.

Finally, Congratulations to Bunaan Yandabul and Miribi Bunbal our Dance and Didge groups on a deadly first performance for the year at the opening of The Sanctuary space at Ulladulla High. If any First Nations students would like to join either of these groups please come and see Erica in the Gunya room for more information.

Koori Korner 2023

Walawanni

Ulladulla High has fantastic cultural programs including an Aboriginal Dance group – Bunaan Yandabal Dance run by Mrs Grady and also a Didge group -Miribi Bunbal run by Mr Richardson. If you would like to be a part of either of these groups in 2023 please see Ms Grady, Mr Richardson or Erica in the Gunya Room to put your name down.

Mrs Grady Mr Richardson Erica East

Koori Korner

Walawaani! We finally made it to the end of another year! Figured now, would be a perfect time to wrap up all the deadly things our students have been up to at school this year. From performances at the State Dance Festival for Bunaan Yandabal to Miribi Bunbal growing as a group and deepening their connection in culture. We participated in UOW’s My Future Matters program where staff came to the school for multiple visits talking to our students about pathways to the university. Bhundoo Summer School was an amazing 2 day experience at Batemans Bay UOW campus for our students to participate in various academic and cultural activities. An unforgettable NAIDOC Week packed with performances and activities for all. We finished with a beautiful Koori Graduation ceremony where we proudly watched our 10 Year 12 First Nations graduating students be celebrated for their hard work. It's been a big one and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our OCHRE team, our families and our amazing community. Can’t wait to do it all again in 2023! See you soon you mob.

Have a safe and well earned break!

Year 6 Transition

Last week we had our last session with our transitioning First Nation Year 6 students. 15 of our students came up and we all met in the library where Maddi Morris in Year 12 gave the Acknowledgement of Country. Mrs Lofts welcomed all our students back and gave them well wishes for next year. Mrs Barry, Year 7 Deputy 2023, reminded them of what their first couple days will look like and Aunty Sharon Bunyan spoke about our expectations around respect, dedication to their studies and all of the supports available for them and their families next year. By the end of the afternoon, all the students were playing amongst themselves and making real connections with each other. We are so looking forward to having you all up here with us in 2023.

Royal Australian Air Force

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!

Koori Korner

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!

Koori Korner

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.

Australian Air Force

On November 10^th 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.

Hey you mob, we have a really awesome opportunity coming up for students in Years 9-11 to participate in a program called Aviation Motivation. A crew from the Airforce will be coming into the school on the 10th of November with various virtual reality experiences to show students what it's like to be in the Airforce. Following this will be a presentation and yarns with the group answering any questions you have about all the different possibilities of a career with them. See Erica to register your interest.

Homework Centre is continuing strong this term every Tuesday afternoon in the Library after school. 3.05 - 4.45pm. Afternoon tea provided. See you there!

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.

NAIDOC 22

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.

State Dance Festival

Off the back of their amazing performance at the State Dance Festival at the Seymour Centre in Sydney, Bunaan Yandabul popped into Warrawong Public School to share their performance with the primary

School’s First Nation Students, who then performed the piece they performed at Southern Stars recently. Each group had the opportunity to have a very wholesome Q&A with the other students. The afternoon then saw the students participating in a weaving workshop together making bracelets for each other. Thank you again Warrawong Public for your hospitality. Our students truly loved the experience.

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!

Koori Korner

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.

We currently have some exciting opportunities on offer for our First Nations Students here at UHS!

National Parks, Conservation Land Management School Based Traineeship

To any First Nations Students currently in Year 10, National Parks have offered us an SBAT for completion over 2023-2024. You will learn the techniques used to restore degraded environments and implement ecological restoration practices such as bush regeneration and revegetation works. Work may be in Indigenous land management, conservation earthworks, lands, parks and wildlife/natural area management. This course has a minimum of 4 units of credit over two years towards your HSC for the formal training component (VET course). It also enables you to still obtain an ATAR.

Please see Erica or Mrs Ingold ASAP if you are interested.

UOW Year 12 Summer Master Classes 2023

The University of Wollongong is facilitating Summer Master Classes in January for First Nations Students in Year 12 in 2023.

Upon completion of the Master Class, you will have completed a university subject of your choice that aligns with your interests and future study.

All students that successfully complete their Summer Master Class subject will be guaranteed a conditional offer or admissions interview to the degree of your choice.

Please see Erica for more details. Applications close on the 25th September 2022.

The University of Sydney, Indigenous Australian Engineering School 2023

All First Nations students that are currently in Years 9, 10 & 11 are invited to participate in an Engineering Summer School held at the University of Sydney in January 2023.

During your stay, you will live on campus for 6 days, get a taste of university life and gain a better understanding of engineering as a course and a career. Please see Erica for more details. Applications close on the 4th November 2022.

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.

Reminders

Waminda will be coming in each Thursday and will be holding group mentoring sessions during Lunch. All are welcome! Please meet at the Gunya room at the beginning of Lunch. Homework Centre is on each Tuesday afternoon after school in the Library. Afternoon Tea is provided.

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!

Walawaani you mob! We hope you had a deadly holidays and are ready to get back into it!

This term Homework Centre will be continuing on a Tuesday afternoon in the library!

Aboriginal Dance with Ms Grady will be returning on Thursdays Session 1 in N1 for both A and B weeks.

Koori Korner News

Firstly, we are so proud of Hudson Fishlock in gaining himself a spot as an Ulladulla High School Year 12 Prefect! He has worked so hard for this position, and we know he is going to be a fantastic role model in our school.

Our Dance group, Bunaan Yandabal had a deadly first practice last Thursday to kick off Term 3. The girls are working on developing a new piece of work showing how they Get up, Stand up, and Show up in preparation for our NAIDOC Assembly in Week 9.

Reminder: Homework Centre runs each Tuesday afternoon in the Library. Erica our AEO will be there along with Maths tutor Mr Leydon for support with any of your class work or assignments.

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.

NAIDOC 2022

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 17^th, please see Erica for details.

Homework Centre Reminder!

Each Tuesday afternoon in the Library Erica and other teachers/tutors are available to help with any assessments or assignments you have coming up or even just for a chat. Come and join us! Afternoon Tea provided.

Our Didge and Dance groups are doing some really special things at the moment. The dance group is working on a piece for the upcoming Far South Coast Dance Festival while the Didge boys are having some deadly rehearsals leading up to our local school’s NAIDOC Week.

Quote from one of our Didge Boys during their last session;

I love being in the bush

It's where I find my calm

The silence is so loud

but so good

3rd June Mabo Day

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.

8th June My Future Matters Program

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.

May 26^th National Sorry Day

Every year on the 26th of May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

May 27^th – 3^rd June Reconciliation Week

This year the National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme is “Be Brave. Make Change.” This is a call to all Australians— individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.

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.

IMPORTANT DATES

26/5 - National Sorry Day Sorry day acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued trauma of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for their families, communities and culture. These people are Stolen Generation,

27/5 - 3/6 Reconciliation Week

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.

AECG Meeting

The Term 2 AECG Meeting is this Wednesday the 18^th at Budawang School 6pm. All parents and community members are welcome to attend.

Waminda Health Visits

Unfortunately, our Waminda 715 Health Checks have been postponed until next term. For more information contact Erica.

Reminder about Homework Centre

Homework Centre next Tuesday is on! Erica will be at Coolendel and Vince will be available to assist with any of your class work.

Late last year our dance group Boonaan had the pleasure of working with Bangarra on another awesome project in place of Schools Spectacular that was Covid cancelled, Schools Spectacular - Inspired. This project saw us learning choreography over zoom sessions with the Bangarra team and with other schools in the state. Our component of the choreography was Guya - Fish, so we felt it fitting to film the girls down at our beautiful harbour. This footage was then sent to Bangarra's editing team to be blended with the other school's pieces to create 2 final films. You can view his moving piece via the links below. Film 1 Ngurambang Film 2 Bandalang

https://tinyurl.com/2p8pscty. Then also our whole performance showcase "Ulladulla High School" at the bottom of the page.

Waminda Health Checks

Tomorrow, 10 May we will be having our 715

Health Checks resuming for 2022, these will be taking place weekly. Please return all Waminda consent forms to Erica in the Gunya room as soon as possible.

Homework Centre is back for Term 2!

Each Tuesday afternoon in the library from 3:15 for assistance with any class work, exam prep or assignments.

Walawaani njindiwan,

It was a huge Term 1! We are so happy to have our 18 new Year 7 First Nations students settled in. We have our Didge and Dance groups up and running and our Homework Centre each Tuesday afternoon.

Last term definitely came with it’s challenges though I’m so proud of how each of you have held yourselves together and pushed though floods, covid and isolations. I hope you all had a great break and are ready for Term 2. Erica

Walawaani!

Unfortunately our King Stingray workshop for our Didge boys had been cancelled by the event organisers due to the bad weather in Wollongong and the band is headed back to North East Arnhem Land. We are hoping this will be a rescheduled event and we can take the boys up in the near future.

All First Nation’s Year 9 & 10 students please check your emails for a PLP questionnaire sent from Mr Barry.

Wishing you all a safe break and see you Wednesday 27 April ready for an action packed Term 2.

We have made a strong start to 2022 with a powerful, culturally driven meeting taking place in the UHS Aboriginal Garden on Monday. Students were invited to join Sharon Bunyan, Erica East, Chae Moloney, Alumni D’arcy Macguire and Amanda Grady to launch our 2022 First Nations Dance Group. Cultural protocols, intentions and expectations, plans and potential performances were discussed along with the sharing of each individual’s role, story and journey. Students from Year 7 through to Year 11 participated in a cultural practice and protocols experience. Rehearsals/meetings start next week developing performances/works for Reconciliation Week, then moving onto NAIDOC work development. This year looks to be very exciting and culturally focused with the intention of building connections to culture and shared experiences through movement and dance. Watch this space.

AECG Meeting

This Wednesday the 16 March we have our first 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 Public School at 6:00pm supper will be provided. Please call Erica for further details.

Homework Centre

Aboriginal Homework Centre will be on again this Tuesday in the Library from 3pm-5pm. All Welcome

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

Pretty Patch at a glimpse

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.

You’re invited to a virtual event

Film premiere: ‘Cultural Burning for Resilience’

Wednesday 8 December, 2022, 2:00-3:00pm ‘Cultural Burning for Resilience’ is an Aboriginal-led community project, supported by the Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Land Council, University of Wollongong’s Global Challenges Program and Treading Lightly Inc. The community project brings together Aboriginal high school students with Yuin Elders and Cultural Land Management Practitioners from the South Coast to learn about good fire, bad fire, and Connection to Country. This beautifully edited and compelling short film demonstrates the power of hands and enquiry-based learning that celebrates cultural fire knowledge. All our school community is invited to watch this online event. To register head to: https://tinyurl.com/2p8sw98k

Waminda visit

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.

Homework Centre

Tuesday afternoons 3.05pm to 4.45pm, Q20

Afternoon tea provided

Bangarra Dance Company

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.

REMINDER

Homework Centre is on!

Q20 - Tuesday 3.15-4.30pm

ALL WELCOME

Walawaani and welcome to Term 4 you mob!

Only a couple more weeks until we can see each other face to face at school and I am so excited to catch up with you all! In the meantime, remember to keep in contact with your teachers, get outside and check in with your fam. This is nearly over!!

Stay deadly my people…. Erica

A big thank you to Ngaire East and Shane Snelson for taking time to teach our kids to weave and paint over zoom as part of our online NAIDOC Week activities.

NAIDOC Week 2021 “Heal Country”

This year’s theme for NAIDOC Week is Heal Country. This film was created in collaboration with community to share experiences of connection to Country. For our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People Country is more than just a place, Country is who we are, it is inside us. It is vital for all individuals to spend time on Country, take time to appreciate Country and learn how to look after the Country they live, work and play on. While this year we can’t all be together due to the current global climate it is important that we call connect through our Mother Earth. View the film at the link below

https://tinyurl.com/3xz82njh

NAIDOC Week 2021

As we know NAIDOC Week is this week. During NADIOC Week we are so excited to be offering our students the chance to participate in two online art classes. We have Shane Snelson conducting an online Art class and Naigre East conducting an Aboriginal Weaving class. Days and times to be confirmed. The sessions will go for half an hour each. If interested, please complete the link for each course below so your packs can be sent out before the classes start. Yes you can do both!

Art class tinyurl.com/4v25tvv8

Weaving class tinyurl.com/3r8uc9a8

Virtual Aboriginal Homework Centre via Teams

Tuesday 3.05pm-4.15pm

Students have been added to the Team. If you have not been added please email Erica.

NAIDOC Week 2021

As we know NAIDOC Week is next week. During NADIOC Week we are so excited to be offering our students the chance to participate in two online art classes. We have Shane Snelson conducting an online Art class and Naigre East conducting an Aboriginal Weaving class. Days and times to be confirmed. The sessions will go for half an hour each. If interested, please complete the link for each course below so your packs can be sent out before the classes start. Yes you can do both!

Art class

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16CG0BDQqwSk9zVo8CawoL5CB9CE1U3gUZW36MdLuCh0/edit

Weaving

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oBkINsog590TFAbYeLuRrsrFDnEA-SMinOBFPvjU9ck/edit

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.

Waminda visit

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.

AECG Meeting

Our Term 3 AECG meeting is happening Wednesday 18 August 6pm at Milton Public School. The NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. is a non for profit Aboriginal organisation that provides advice on all matters relevant to education and training with the mandate that this advice represents the Aboriginal community viewpoint. Wandarma AECG works closely with the school community to support both our children and staff to achieve. All parents, guardians and community members are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Shane Snelson (Secretary) aecgwandarma@gmail.com or Natasha Mooney (President) natasha.mooney@det.nsw.edu.au

Dates to remember

Friday 30/8 - WebChoice opens for your subject selections for Yr 9&11 2022/23. If you are still unsure of your choices or wanted to chat about them see Erica in the Gunya Room.

NAIDOC week ceremony will take place Week 9. The didge and dance group will be performing. If you think you may like to join these groups please see Erica, Mr Richardson or Mrs Grady.

Homework Centre Q20

Tuesday 3.15pm-4.30pm

All Aboriginal students are encouraged to attend. Afternoon tea provided. Get help with your upcoming assessment tasks or simply complete your homework.

Yr 10 Transition Breakfast Tuesday 27 July 8.30-9.15am downstairs in the TLS. Please come straight in when your bus arrives.

Milton Public School NAIDOC assembly

Our didge boys Mirin Bunbal were invited to perform at Milton Public School Wednesday of last term as a part of their NAIDOC Week Assembly. Hudson Fishlock, Richard Howell, Chase Stewart, Jake Mines and Kane Watson performed an awesome piece for the whole school and their guests from the local community. Our Didge group meet for practice each Thursday, see Mr Richardson or Erica East if you would like to be part of this group. Well done boys!

Ms East

Our Youth mentor program hosted by the AMS was held at the Dunn Lewis Centre last Friday. Our lucky students were taught traditional Aboriginal art by Shane Snelson. This program is run over two weeks, and this Friday the students will finish their art and get to take it home.

23 June our Didge boys will be playing at the NAIDOC assembly at Milton Public School. Full school uniform to be worn

Connecting to Culture - Cultural Burn Camp

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.

Acknowledgment of Country Workshop

We are excited to be working collaboratively with students from Ulladulla Public School tomorrow as some of our young leaders attend an Acknowledgement of Country Workshop with Uncle Tommy Butler from Mogo.

AMS Excursion

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.

National Sorry Day

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.

Waminda Programs

Mirriral Bulwul Program

Waminda have started a program called Mirriral Bulwul Program - "Strong Spirit". In this program Hayley Calford, Youth Social and Emotional Wellbeing Worker along with other support workers volunteer their time in school to run small groups with students to share stories, discuss suicide prevention and any issues directly affecting our youth. Waminda is an external agency that volunteers their time to work with our Aboriginal students.

Bulwul Balaang Youth Program

Waminda's youth team have created a program called Bulwul Balaang - Bulwul meaning (strong) and Balaang meaning (girl/woman). This is a program created to help build young strong, resilient women, help create pathways and opportunities for our future leaders and also to build on foundations of confidence, courage and cultural enrichment. This program will be held once a term involving a 2 hour session. Keep an eye out for more details.

Homework Centre - Tuesday 3.15pm - 4.30pm

Calling all senior students! Year 12 Trials are quickly approaching and 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.

Homework Centre

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.

AECG Meeting

Our local AECG meeting is taking place this Wednesday 19th May at Budawang School. We have a 6pm start for dinner with the meeting to commence at 6.30. We encourage parents to attend!

Weekly Meetings for Aboriginal students

One a fortnight there is a breakfast and catch up for students with the Aboriginal Education Team. At this catch-up you will get information about upcoming opportunities, programs and get organised for your day.

Monday Week A - Years 10-12 - Gunya Room

Monday Week B - Years 7-9 - Gunya Room

MORE THAN A WORD. RECONCILIATION TAKES ACTION

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

Youth Aboriginal Mentoring Program

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.

Health checks

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

Weekly Meetings for Aboriginal students

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 organised for your day.

Monday Week A - Yrs 10-12 - Gunya Room 9.10-9.30am

Monday Week B - Yrs 7-9 - Gunya Room 9.10-9.30am

Homework Centre reminder

Our school proudly runs the Aboriginal Homework Centre every Tuesday during school term. This is an opportunity for students to catch up on work, receive assistance in completing assignments as well as catching up with friends. If you need a lift home, this can be arranged.

Waminda Health Checks

Thank you once again to Waminda who conducted health checks last Wednesday. This is part of the “closing the gap” initiative that ensures the health of our young people. If you have not returned your note or require a new one please see Ms Mooney.

Didge Group

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!

Youth Aboriginal Mentoring Program

Health checks

Homework Centre

Tuesday afternoons - 3:00-4:30pm in Q17. Come along and get help with your school work.

All welcome

Bangarra Dance

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.

All the best Samara

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!

Aboriginal Mentoring Program

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.

NSW Secondary School Aboriginal Dance Program

UHS were one of the lucky schools to take part in a Zoom workshop with members of Bangara Dance Theatre. During the first 2 hour workshop students worked together, practising their moves which will culminate into a full performance. Students enjoyed their afternoon and Mrs Grady led the way with her moves.

Health checks

Thank you to Waminda who conducted health checks to our Indigenous students last Friday. This is part of the “closing the gap” initiative that ensures the health of our young people. If you have not returned your form for your health check it is not too late. Please hand it to Samara or Ms Mooney.

Homework Centre

Come along to the Aboriginal Homework Centre!

The Homework Centre is not just for homework! It's a great place to check in with teachers, complete Assessment Tasks, get organised for the week ahead and receive one-on-one assistance in any of your subjects. You can find us in Q17 every Tuesday afternoon until 4.30. Food is provided. Bring along a friend and let's make it a group study session!

Bangarra Dance opportunity

UHS is lucky enough to be participating in the NSW Secondary Schools Aboriginal Dance Program for 2021. Over 4 workshops, students will work with Bangarra Dance Theatre to develop and perform with the group. Our first session is Tuesday March 9. Students interested in participating are encouraged to attend. This amazing opportunity is limited to 20 students. Please get your notes in to avoid disappointment.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding this event please see Natasha, Samara or Mrs Grady.

Weekly Meetings for Aboriginal students

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 dates to remember, programs and get organised 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

Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES)

4-10 July 2021

The IAES Program gives 15 Indigenous high school students in NSW, who are in Years 10, 11 and 12 in 2021, the opportunity to go to Sydney and explore the possibilities of studying and working within various fields of engineering. Due to uncertainties surrounding COVID restrictions, we are hosting both an in person IAES and an Online IAES. If you are interested in attending, please see Ms Morton or Samara for the application form. Applications close 5 May

PLPs for Aboriginal Students

During Week 5 the Personal Learning Plans Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students commenced. This process allows us to meet with students to identify their cultural and academic goals. For more information contact Ms Mooney or Samara.

Waminda Notes

Waminda is visiting our school to conduct health checks on our Koori students. Notes have been handed out to all students and need to be returned ASAP. If you lost your note, please see Samara in the Gunya Room. This is part of the Closing the Gap initiative.

Dance Group

with Mrs Grady will be Thursdays Week A, session 1 and Thursdays Week B, session 2. We have an exciting collaboration with Bangara Dance Theatre. This is a fantastic opportunity for both girls and boys. Come along and try it out.

Didge Group

If you are interested in joining the group. Please see Mr Richardson.

Homework Centre reminder

Aboriginal Health Checks with Waminda

Waminda Women and Family service will attend UHS to conduct Aboriginal Health checks for our students, this is part of the Australian Government Closing the Gap initiative. Consent forms have been handed out, however if you have misplaced it or didn't get one please see Samara. You will receive a free t-shirt on completion of your health check. Waminda will attend UHS on Friday 5 March from 10.30-3.00. In the past it was very difficult to get more Aboriginal Services to our area but now that they will be here I encourage you to make the most of these opportunities.

Upcoming programs for 2021

Waminda Young Women's is back this year after not being able to run the program last year due to Covid. The youth workers are excited to return and meet the new students and re-engage with the old ones. Waminda will deliver the program once per term to discuss health, wellbeing, positive relationships, education and culture. All girls in Years 7-12 are invited to attend and participate in this amazing and engaging program.

Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) Young Koori Men's program

The program introduces strategies to develop and improve help seeking behaviours, overall wellbeing, self empowerment, and also supports and encourages healthy concepts of Aboriginality in our young people. The program aims to:

Provide day-to-day mentoring & support, support with education & employment pathways, increase overall wellbeing of Aboriginal youth and to encourage & support positive cultural identity.

Boonaan - UHS Girls Dance group

If you would like to join the Aboriginal girls dance group please see Samara or Mrs Grady to put your name down.

Miribi Bunbal - UHS Boys didgeridoo group

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.

Weekly Meetings for Aboriginal students

Monday Week A - Years 10-12 - Gunya Room 9.10-9.30am

Monday Week B - Years 7-9 - Gunya Room 9.10-9.30am

Health Checks with Waminda Family Service

Waminda Doctors and Health Workers will be coming to school to conduct Aboriginal Health Checks. Please return your consent forms so you can get your health check, you will get a free t-shirt as a incentive. This is a Closing the Gap initiative, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia are encouraged to get a health check. If you haven't been given a consent form see Samara. Health Checks commence in March.

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

ABSTUDY 2021

If you would like to claim Abstudy for 2021, you can get the application forms from Samara in the Gunya room. Once application forms are completed they can then be dropped in to Centrelink to be processed. Funds are then sent to the school to be kept and used for your educational needs, ie uniforms, school fees, excursions, stationery, books, camps. Applications can also be done online at
http://www.humanservices.gov.au/individual/forms/sy018

Aboriginal Health Checks 2021

The team at Gadhu Balaang Biyani (Waminda Clinical Team) are running Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check days within the school for Indigenous students. This involves conversations with the Aboriginal Health Workers and GP's regarding your child's health and wellbeing. Follow ups can be discussed and allied health support through Waminda can be arranged. In the next two weeks consent forms will be coming home. If you would like your child to have a health check in Term 1 of 2021, please complete the registration and consent form and return to Samara.

NAIDOC Art Competition 2020

The winner of this year’s NAIDOC Art Competition is Year 11 student Ruby Riley-Brown. The artwork template was created by local Aboriginal artist Shane Snelson. The painting is of Warden Head, which is an area of significance to the Aboriginal families of Ulladulla. With this year’s NAIDOC theme being "Always was, Always will be" this was a fitting sight to be recognised and acknowledged. Well done Ruby and congratulations, we are very proud of you!! A big thank you to all the students who participated in the competition - your art work was outstanding. Ruby's artwork will go on the teachers jumpers in 2021 and she also received a $50 gift voucher from Office National.

Gift Appreciated

The Aboriginal Education Team would like to thank Mr Ramden's mother, Ms Austin, for donating a Samsung Galaxy tablet to the school. The lucky student, who we believe is worthy of this amazing gift, is Lachlan Stewart Year 9. Lachlan has worked hard this year to improve his attendance despite the adversity and hardship 2020 has delivered. Thank you again Ms Austin, your support is appreciated and your gift will assist Lachlan greatly during his school years. Lachlan says ‘thank you’

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

NAIDOC Touch Comp

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 1^st victory in years and a 4-3 win. Well done to all staff and students.

Mirbi Bunbal means "Thunder Stick"

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.

2020 NAIDOC WEEK @ UHS

8-15 November

"ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE"

We are in the process of creating a program for NAIDOC week celebrations here at UHS. We will hold touch footy, art competitions and more so keep an eye out and register your interest. The didge boys and girls dance groups have been rehearsing for our assembly which is going to be deadly.

Business Wellbeing Education Program

The Aboriginal Young Men's Business Wellbeing and Education Program was created together with the Aboriginal Medical Services Drugs & Alcohol team and the UHS Aboriginal Education Team for our boys in Years 7-10. The AMS will present to the students 1 day a week for 6 weeks and they will discuss the affects of drugs and alcohol, addiction, mental health, positive relationships, lateral violence, respect, culture, breaking the cycle, brothers supporting brothers and lived experiences. The boys are given the opportunity to be open and ask questions in a culturally safe environment around their peers and elders.

Thank you to Uncle Warren and Uncle Malcolm for running the first session, the boys were engaged and found your presentation to be"very interesting and "so good". The boys are looking forward to the upcoming presentation. The next presentation is on Wednesday 28 October Session 2 in the Library.

"They spoke about things that aren't usually spoken about openly, which I found so helpful, interesting and good"

Brody Lavington Yr 9

"Being able to hear their stories and hear them talk instead of watching movies or powerpoint presentations was so much better" - Jason Rice Yr 9

Good luck Tear, Riley, Jason, Ebony and Lucy in your HSC you got this. We are super proud of you and we are here for you!

Year 12's

Good luck to our 8 Koori Year 12 students with your HSC. Study hard, stay focused and don't forget your mental health is priority. The Ab Ed Team are extremely proud of you. YOU GOT THIS!!!

Homework Centre

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.

2021 National Indigenous Autumn School @ ANU

Aboriginal students in Years 10 & 11, if you are interested in attending please see Samara for an application.

Upcoming dates to remember:

Young Aboriginal Men's Health & Wellbeing Program - Years 7-10

Wednesday 21 October - Library Downstairs

10:45am - 12.15pm

Whitecard Course

Thursday 22 October - TLS –8.30am

Homework Centre

Every Tuesday - Q17

3:15pm - 4:30pm

PCYC Fit 2 Learn Program

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.

Waminda Young Women's Program

It was fantastic to see Mel & Betty from Waminda with the Aboriginal Young Women's Program, which has been running in our school for the past 2 years. This program has been instrumental for our girls, allowing them to stay connected to their culture and discuss topics around wellbeing, mental health, making positive choices and knowing who to reach out to in times of need. Waminda offer many services to support families and youth in the Shoalhaven. The girls are aware that if they need support or someone to turn to that Waminda is available to them. As it was "R U OK" day the girls created a yarning circle and talked about who and what it is that keeps them strong, how they can care for themselves, how they can heal and who they can turn to in times of need.

Bumulaga Njin

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

Triple J Unearthed

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!

Bumulaga Njin - Rollcall Breakfast

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

Aboriginal students elected to SRC & SEC in 2020

Congratulations to Mikayla Helms Y9 who has been selected to the SEC, Dylan Hodge Y8 and Angelique McCabe Y8 who have both been selected for the SRC. Congratulations to Ruby Frank (Yr 11) - selected as senior Prefect. We are all so proud of your achievements and willingness to be leaders and role models. Keep up the good work!!

WAMINDA - Free Health Check

Waminda Women and Family Service will commence FREE HEALTH CHECKS at Rowens Arcade, Ulladulla, from 10.30am - 1pm for Aboriginal families. This is a great opportunity to engage with an Aboriginal service to get advice, referrals and a health check.

Wandama AECG Meeting

Due to Covid restrictions the Wandama AECG has not been able to meet except

Cultural Hub - Wednesday, Week B, Session 1 in the MPC

The Ab Ed Team, with the support of Mrs Lofts, will be introducing a Cultural Hub to run every Wednesday Week B in Session 1. We would like your input about what you would like to learn about your culture during Cultural Hub. We envision that all Aboriginal students will attend and have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities which will be run by the Aboriginal Education Team. Activities such as dancing, singing, didge, painting are just some of the ideas. This will be a great opportunity to engage/re-engage in your culture that you may not otherwise have the opportunity to. All Aboriginal students Years 7-12 are encouraged to attend.

Homework Centre

Every Tuesday in Q17 from 3.05-4.45pm. All students are encouraged to attend to get on top of course work, homework, and/or N awards. We're here to support you to do your best.

With more and more restrictions being lifted we are now allowed to have our much needed programs return to our school. In Term 3 we see Waminda return to run the Young Women's Program, the PCYC will run a "Fit to Learn " 6 week boys program and the Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) will run a Health, Wellbeing and Drugs and Alcohol education session. These are great opportunities and we hope that you all engage and participate.

Year 10-12 Students

If you have N Award's can you please see Samara or email Mrs Gough for support. It is important that you get all your assessments in and get the support you need. Come to homework centre to get extra support and help.

Homework Centre

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!!

Abstudy

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.

Mentoring

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.

Didge and Dance Group

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.

Homework Every Tuesday 3.15-4.45pm in Q17 Afternoon tea is provided. Year 7 - 12 we hope to see you there for support for your learning!

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:

Culture Courage Commitment Award

Tear Locke

Recognition of Special Education Award

Trey Butler

Sporting Excellence Award

Michael Salafia

Attendance Award

Jason Rice

Takesa Frank

Deklan Barford

Creative and Performing Arts Award

Miribi Bumbal/Yidaki

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

Congratulations to all our recipients

Acknowledgment to Country

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.

Walawaani everyone and welcome back. We are excited to see you all back and ready to go - in full school uniform.

We understand that during the last couple of months you may have fallen behind with assessments and classwork -
we are here to help and support you through this.
The Aboriginal Education Team will be in contact with you to discuss ways forward - completing N Awards/Assessment tasks. We encourage you all to attend the Homework Centre at 3.05pm Tuesday afternoons in Q Block - use this time to catch up and get help from our team. Senior students are encouraged to use the Gunya Room for your study periods. The next few months are going to be exciting with several new programs that we will run for you all with the support of the AMS, Waminda, AIME and PCYC.

If you need support or guidance come see us - we are here for you. Once again - welcome back, we have missed you all!

$Student planting with Landcare$

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.

Congratulations to our Aboriginal SBAT students who had their first day at work on Friday. Well done to Kasey-Lee, Ella and Tanaya.

Homework Centre

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.

Welcome back

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 Korner 2019 Wrap Up

What a huge year it has been for all our 86 Koori students! Many opportunities were afforded to our kids this year and we are so proud of all that took part and had a go! Just some of the activities that we had the opportunity to be a part of were the University of Sydney Summer school Camp, University of Sydney Winter school camp, UOW Indigenous Careers Day, Waminda Young Women's Program, NAIDOC week performances by our girl's Boonaan dance group and Miribi Bunbal didge boys, NRL School 2 Work mentoring program, Trish Ellis teaching the local Dhurga language to us, Budawang Public School mural project and the Dead or Deadly Health Program to name a few. The Aboriginal Education Team are proud of all your efforts this year and we encourage you all to "have a go" next year and make the most of all the opportunities that come your way. Next year we will see 21 Koori Year 7 students start at UHS and we say goodbye to our 11 graduating Year 12 students. Thank you all for a wonderful year and we wish all the families a Merry Christmas and Happy and Safe New Year! See you all in 2020 in full uniform, ready to learn and practise your culture. Samara Williams

Wingara Mura - Bunga Barrabugu Summer School Program

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.

UHS and Budawang Public School Joint Mural Project

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.

Koori Year 12s

Good luck to all our Year 12 students sitting their HSC exams. We wish you all the best of luck and have confidence that you will do your very best. We are all very proud of you.

School Based Traineeship Opportunity Year 10 or 11 ATSI Students

The Storylines SBAT opportunity will enable you to achieve a Cert III – Information, Digital Media and Technology qualification, whilst completing your HSC. You will also be paid for 100 days of work (required to be completed during the period of your traineeship). If you are interested please see Samara for more information.

Homework Centre

Homework centre has moved to the library please make sure you attend each Tuesday at 3.15 to get help with your assessments and catch up on class work.

Waminda Young Women's Program

At the end of Term 3 Waminda youth workers Mel, Olivia and Betty ran a workshop with our girls which they do once a term discussing topics around wellbeing, health, mental health, body image, self esteem and cultural connections, This term the focus was on self care, positivity and showing respect to others and yourself. Thank you to the ladies from Waminda for all your support and mentoring of our girls. We really appreciate it here at UHS and we can’t wait to see you again next term for our final session and your positive vibes. Congratulations to all our Aboriginal Year 12 students on your schooling career here at UHS. The Aboriginal Education Team are proud of all 11 of you that graduated and we hope for nothing but success and happiness for your future. Good luck in your exams!!

NAIDOC Week

Congratulations to everyone involved in making UHS NAIDOC Week 2019 a huge success! This week we had an art competition, story telling and our big NAIDOC assembly which was amazing and the unveiling of the Uncle Fred Carriage portrait which is proudly hung in the Gunya room where he can continue to look over

our students and inspire them. The boys didge group Miribi Bunbal and Girls Dance Group Boonaan should all be proud of your performance, as are we and the community. You are amazing! The cutting of the cake for this years NAIDOC theme VOICE, TREATY, TRUTH was done by Aunty Nelly Mooney and NAIDOC Community Award Winner Shane Snelson. This year we saw 6 awards given to worthy students and community members who inspire, work hard and lead by example. Congratulations to our NAIDOC 2019 Award Winners:

Commitment to Culture and Community - Mikayla Helms

Commitment to Education and Leadership -Takesa Frank

Commitment to Excellence in Aboriginal Education - Hamish Richardson

Uncle Fred Carriage Award for Educational Strength and Resilience - Rory Pollock

Aunty Nellie Mooney Award for Courage and Compassion in Education -Tear Locke

Aboriginal students 2018-2019 leadership group

What a fantastic year it’s been for our students!!! Our outgoing School Captain Takesa Frank has had an enormous impact in her role implementing several initiatives in the community and within our school. Takesa you are a true leader and an inspiration to all. We wish you all the best in your future aspirations. We are proud of you!

Congratulations to Tear Locke,Year 11, who was elected school Vice-Captain and to Latasha Wellington and Ruby Frank, Year 10 and Mikayla Helms Year 8, who are now our newly elected student SRC and SEC. We know that you will work hard, lead by example and inspire others.

Good luck, you are doing us all proud.

PRIDE Month

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 2019

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.

N Determinations and Unfinished Work

All students are encouraged to complete all class work and assessments on time. If you need help with completing your assessment we ask that you attend the Homework Centre on Tuesday afternoons and come see us if you need help as we are here for you.

Gunya, Dhugan & Bangurri Social Media

Join the UHS Gunya, Dhugan and Bangurri social media group on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest news and opportunities.

Instagram - gunya.dhugan.uhs

Facebook - gunya.dhugan.uhs

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

Bangarra Girls Dance Workshop – Nowra

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.

Waminda Young Women’s Program

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.

Inspire, succeed, excel

The Aboriginal Education Excellence Awards held in Batemans Bay recognise students, staff and members of the community who have contributed to Aboriginal education and promoted attendance, diversity, leadership and emphasises that all students be actively engaged in meaningful, challenging and future focused learning.

Four of our Aboriginal students received awards and we are very proud of their achievements.

The Ulladulla High School (UHS) Aboriginal education team encourages all our students to strive to do their best and be recognised for their hard work and dedication to their education.

This year we will have a lot of opportunities and excursions for our students to be involved in. For students who would like to get involved we encourage pride in culture and a willingness to learn and have a go. There is a whiteboard in the Gunya room with upcoming opportunities so please take a look and let Samara know if you are interested.

Homework Centre

This is every Tuesday from 3.15- 4.45pm and is now in Q17. We encourage all our Koori students to attend and get the help and support they need to complete assessments, practice timetables, read and ask questions. We are here for you!! Please attend and use this very valuable resource.

Debating Workshop - Because Of Her We Can

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.

Reconciliation Week Celebrations

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 behalf of UHS we would like to say a big thank you to all the parents, caregivers and students who attended the Aboriginal education BBQ on May 08. We had a great turnout where parents and caregivers were able to sit down and chat with the Aboriginal education team regarding the appropriate support we provide the students and the details of each individual Personal Learning Plan.

It was fantastic to hear the positive feedback in regards to the Tuesday night homework centre and the extensive support we provide each student.

Well done to Paris Fishlock and Jazmin Simpson who will be attending a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Youth Development Camp in Jindabyne 21st-23rd May. The Camp, which is run by the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and ASTI Mathematics Alliance is committed to supporting and raising the academic achievement of Aboriginal students. This program aims to empower students to be active learners in their education and training by providing opportunities to develop skills in leadership roles within their schools and community.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Youth Development Camp, Jindabyne 21-23 May. Any Years 7-11 students interested in attending, please see Samara for an application form.

Personal learning plans

Parents have been receiving letters regarding completing a questionnaire to help complete the Personal learning plans.

Our team will be hosting a BBQ on Tuesday 8th May at the school in the Koori Garden for parents and carers to meet with the Aboriginal Education Team to discuss ways to support their children.

Bangarra dance

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.

National Reconciliation Week morning tea

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.

NAIDOC Week - art workshops

As part of the week's celebrations at school, students have participated in Art workshops, alongside the talented Miss Jessie Cowan and Shane Snelson from the Ulladulla Aboriginal Lands Council. Each student's art work is inspired by a story they wish to tell about culture. Student's designs are placed onto canvases and onto templates for socks! A winning sock design will be available to purchase at a later date!

Waminda health & pamper day

Female Aboriginal students attended an Aboriginal Women's health and pamper day at the Dunn Lewis Centre. Students had health checks in order to receive complimentary beauty treat-ments. Overall the girls had a fantastic day and learnt about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Thank you to the wonderful workers at Waminda!

AB study assistance

Have you applied to centrelink for your AB study term allowance? You can apply on line or at centrelink. The first payment of $156 is paid directly to the school and can assist in the purchase of uniforms, excursions and fees. Please see Sharon if you have not applied and we can send home an application form.

If you have any issues or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the school so that we can work together and provide assistance.

Return to top of page

Koori Korner

Koori Korner

Celebrating Artistic Excellence: Hunter Southwood and Jaryd Backhouse

First Nations Defence AVN day (RAAF Aviation Motivation Program)

Join Us for the Next Cultural Workshop Night

Exercise First Glance: Indigenous Youth Placement at Royal Military College

We Celebrate Aunty Nellie’s OAM

Walawaani

Junior AECG

My Future Matters

AECG Meeting

You're Invited to Giiyong Festival!

Limited places. Registration essential.

Welcome back mob and welcome to term 4!

What's happening this week:

AECG meeting is Wednesday 21st August.

Year 12 Graduation

Deadly Leaders

Cultural transmission

Reconciliation Morning Tea

Reminders

First Nations Art Competition

NEWS - 19th February

Wandarma Local AECG Community Meeting

Michelle McBride and Erica East

Aunty Sharon Bunyan

Walawaani!

Camp Aspire

Koori Korner News

NAIDOC Week

AECG Meeting

Goulburn Police Tour

Aspiring Artists

Keep in Contact

Welcome back for Term 3!

Student shout out!

National Sorry Day, 26th May.

National Reconciliation Week, 27th May to the 3rd June.

REMINDER:

Aboriginal Studies Major Works

Dance Workshop

Reminder this Wednesday Wandarma Meeting

Message from Wandarma

Student Highlight

Koori Korner 2023

Walawanni

Koori Korner

Year 6 Transition

Royal Australian Air Force

Koori Korner

Koori Korner

Australian Air Force

NAIDOC 22

State Dance Festival

Koori Korner

Reminders

Koori Korner News

NAIDOC 2022

Homework Centre Reminder!

3rd June Mabo Day

8th June My Future Matters Program

May 26th National Sorry Day

May 27th – 3rd June Reconciliation Week

IMPORTANT DATES

27/5 - 3/6 Reconciliation Week

AECG Meeting

Waminda Health Visits

Reminder about Homework Centre

Waminda Health Checks

Homework Centre is back for Term 2!

Walawaani njindiwan,

Walawaani!

AECG Meeting

Homework Centre

Pretty Patch at a glimpse

You’re invited to a virtual event

Waminda visit

Homework Centre

Bangarra Dance Company

REMINDER

May 26^th National Sorry Day

May 27^th – 3^rd June Reconciliation Week