The Principal’s Dilly Bag

Traditional dilly bags are produced by Aboriginal peoples across Australia. The bags are mainly designed and used by women to gather food but are also sometimes used by men in ceremonies. They are most commonly found in the northern parts of Australian. Dilly bag basketry is also seen as cultural expressions and fine art. As the new Principal at Girl Academy, my Principal’s Dilly Bag message is a symbolic gesture of carrying a message to the readers. I hope that everyone enjoys the messages we have to share. The beginning of 2021 was a time the Girl Academy farewelled outgoing Principal, Shoba Kalos and I was welcomed with open arms. I am a proud Puuch Clan woman from the Wik, Wik Waya and Kugu Country of Aurukun. I am proud to work alongside two very experienced Indigenous women in Karen Wilson, the Head of Wellbeing, and Karen Salam the Head of Boarding – an allIndigenous Leadership Team. One of the things I was interested in upon starting my role at the Girl Academy was the meaning behind our logo. For those who didn’t know, the Cape York Girl Academy logo is the female Golden-Shouldered Parrot – a rare bird only found in the Cape York Peninsula. The rarity of the species makes it unique and worth looking after – like the girls of the Girl Academy. The flying bird represents this sense of freedom and being able to sing loudly and proudly. As an Aboriginal educator, I acknowledge the importance a student’s voice is in enabling them to develop a sense of place, purpose and community within the school. It is critical in guiding and informing all aspects of our school planning and execution. We must ensure we are culturally responsive and meet the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families, and communities.

Our staff also acknowledge the importance of their role in activating the sense of voice. Here is one staff member’s comment in relation to the values of the school, ‘Strong sense of community and ownership of cultural ways of working. Respect for staff and students. Commitment to the girls’ holist health and education’

During Term 2 the Teachers and I designed and implemented a whole school literacy session using a culturally responsive pedagogy that focuses on developing reading, literacy and English language acquisition skills. Three days a week, all members of staff read with a student. This allows the girls to hear reading, be read to and develop a love for reading. One day a week, all students join together for Literacy lessons, which allow students to be provided with individual support and guidance. Through philanthropic support, the school has recently purchased iPads to assist in facilitating individual, targeted learning enrichment, access to digital libraries and develop digital design.

Just as the parrots wings on our logo hug around in a circular shape to represent support and togetherness, we have been busy fostering relationships with outreach programs and organisations who are happy to share, support and advocate for our students, mums and babies. This Semester the Girl Academy would like to shout out to the following organisations:

- Mama Cocoa

- REACH Boarding

- Trinity Beach Bulldogs

- Brumby’s Trinity Beach

As you read through this newsletter, please enjoy the moments we have captured, which share in the privilege we experience of being part of Cape York Girl Academy and the work we do to enrich the lives of our young people and their communities.

An Man Kan, Appow

(That’s all, Good bye in Wik Mungkan – my traditional language)

Baressa Frazer, Principal