NAIDOC Week 2022: Get Up! Stand Up! Show up!

Staff and students are preparing for NAIDOC Week 2022 celebrations. This is an annual Australian observance lasting from the first Sunday of July until the following Sunday. NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is an important national event where everyone is invited to join in the celebrations.

This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ It will be a key focus in assemblies at both the Junior and Middle Campuses in Week 10, as well as during Mass at Christ the Priest Church. Many classes will be celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures by participating in art and craft activities in their classes as well as during lunch time in the Library on Tuesday, 5th July at the Middle Campus.

All students and families are cordially invited to a local NAIDOC celebration at the Kingborough Community Hub on Monday, 4th July 4.00pm-7.00pm. This event is organised by SETAC (South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation). Visit SETAC’s Facebook Page to register for free tickets https://fb.me/e/1NZkWh28H    

NAIDOC Week Resources & Prayers for Families

The idea of NAIDOC originates in a letter written back in 1937 by William Cooper that was aimed at Aboriginal communities and Australian churches. Some churches were very quick to respond and began observing NAIDOC as early as 1940. More information about NAIDOC Week can be found on the website: https://www.naidoc.org.au/

Families wishing to pray together during NAIDOC Week, can visit Common Ground’s website for prayer resources: https://www.commongrace.org.au/aboriginal_prayer_resources

‘Healing Country’: Smoking Ceremony at Senior Campus

During National Reconciliation Week, a very special smoking ceremony was held at the Senior Campus. Led by cultural fire practitioner Jason Smith and attended by select senior staff, architects, landscapers, school leaders and First Nations students, the ceremony was conducted before machinery work was due to begin. The event took place in the car park where all the bitumen will be dug up and native trees will be planted. We look forward to seeing the transformation and learning more about ways we can care for, respect and ‘heal’ Country.  

Sea of Hands

Colourful ‘seas of hands’ were created at both Campuses during National Reconciliation Week. Photographs from the week will be published in our next Strive newsletter. 

Takariliya Wakata holiday program for First Nations Students

Join the team at SETAC, over the July School holidays while they facilitate free events for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families, living in the Huon and the Channel. Information is attached.