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NAIDOC Day Celebrations

NAIDOC Week was celebrated during the school holidays, from 3 to 10 July. Santa Maria College recognised this important event today through a range of activities to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Theme

The NAIDOC theme for 2022 is Get up! Stand up! Show up! The theme recognises the history of getting up, standing up and showing up from the frontier wars to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities fighting for change today and the courage not to lose the momentum for change.

Call to Action

There are practical ways we can all work for change by:

  • Seeking environment, cultural and heritage protections.
  •  Supporting Constitutional change, truth-telling, and calling out racism
  • Celebrating those who have driven and led change in communities
  • Recognising the heroes and champions of change
  • Learning about First Nations people and how to care for country
  • Developing relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians based on justice, equity, and the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples’ rights.
  • Amplifying our voices to narrow the gap between aspiration and reality, good intent, and outcome.

Raising Awareness

Several activities were held at recess and lunchtime today to celebrate the rich culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. These included:

  • Pledging to stand up for change.
  • Colouring in competition using this year’s theme as the focus.
  • Learning common words of the local Aboriginal language
  • Quizzes on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ culture and achievements
  • Creating displays that celebrate the culture and achievements of indigenous Australians.
  • Sampling tasty Indigenous foods

Our Commitment

Santa Maria College is committed to raising awareness of the achievements, culture, and history of the First Nations people. We want to effect change by learning more about the rich culture, history, achievements and struggles of the First Nations peoples so we can find practical ways to stand with our Indigenous brothers and sisters. Seeking environmental, cultural, and heritage protections must be done together if we are to preserve this remarkable country, we call home.

We asked two of our indigenous students the following questions, and here is what they had to say.

What is one thing about your culture that you wish more people knew about?

Lola said, “I wish more people knew about past events and would not say things like “why don’t they get over it” and “it’s all in the past.” Even though there are still ongoing prejudices.”

Ainslie added, “One thing I wish people knew about my culture more is how detailed it is and how far back our culture, customs, and traditions go. We have been here for over 60,000 years, and very few people know that.”

Why is your culture important to you?

“My culture is important to me because it is a part of who I am, a part of my history and ancestry, and it is important to learn about it so it can keep going as a piece of our country’s history.”, said Lola

Ainslie said, “My culture is important to me because it’s who I am, and it shapes who I am as a person. It has also brought me closer to my family and gives me a different view of the world.”

JILLIAN LANDERS | Director of Mission

What A Term! So Many Opportunities – Jennifer Oaten

As I look back on the past nine weeks, I am so grateful for who we are as a community and what we have achieved. Through the dedication of our staff and the enthusiasm of our students, we have established new connections, immersed ourselves in opportunities and worked through challenges.

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