NEWS

Heart and Home finds its place

Art students have captured all of the colour and wonder of the Top End with their stunning new artwork, Heart And Home.

The painting, which recently won the Curators Award at the Seabreeze Jetty Artspace, is divided into two large boards and shows a vibrant beach scene with the sun in the distance. The work brilliantly conveys the feel and landscape of the Northern Territory.

The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) students have proudly presented the painting to Haileybury Rendall School, where it will be prominently displayed in the Student Services building.

Completing the work took a lot of care and time. Students did initial sketches of the painting before inspecting the Darwin Street Art Festival entries.

Up to 18 students participated in the work with eight students painting the majority of it. Some students helped for one or two lessons before returning to their vocational education and training (VET) courses while others stayed longer.

“I think the fact that anyone could pick up a brush and get involved really helped students overcome both the fear of failure and of being singled out. Several students were able to display excellent leadership skills in organising others and helping those students who hadn’t had the same amount of time to improve.” —Nathan Poulter, Visual Arts Teacher

The designs of Heart And Home are intended to draw on the feelings of home, of going home and of making a new home. Year 11 student, Tyson Ryan’s design links directly to family, while others like Year 10 student Braithan Baker’s highlight travel and the coast.

Designed originally to be a mural, Heart And Home links several disparate designs through common background elements. Bright and vibrant colours are intended to catch the attention of passers-by and be easy to pick up for new students to put their mark on the work.

Heart And Home combines both modern representations of place with elements of traditional design to communicate the ideas of place and the symbols of home. The activity also helped students to bond with others and gain more confidence with their art skills.

The VCAL Art class will also hold an exhibition and auction in September for some of their work. The class also is developing its own individual designs for printing, photography and painting.

Congratulations to all involved in creating this inspirational and timeless work of art, particularly Braithan Baker (Year 10) Tyson Ryan (Year 11) Jesse Orchard (Year 11) Tahlia Tipungwuti (Year 11) Susan Jones (Year 12) and Hailey Vigona (Year 11).

Jye Roe Banks is on the move. As a teacher, long-distance runner and proud Aboriginal woman, Jye is a treasured member of our Haileybury Rendall School teaching community.

Originally from the Nykinya Yaruwu region near Broome, Jye exclusively teaches Aboriginal female boarding students at Haileybury Rendall School. This is her third year at the School and she is enjoying every moment of it.

“I am in the Ochre Program teaching a class of eight girls in Years 7 and 8 from all across the Northern Territory,” Jye said.

An inspiration for students

Jye enjoys being with passionate people who have the same ideas and goals that she has. She wants to encourage girls to jump out of their comfort zone and embrace a holistic vision of health.

“We have an intensive Literacy and Numeracy program to support students in areas that may have been missed in learning. I really love my job, working with the girls and seeing the results they gain so quickly.”

Jye moved from Hobart with her husband and pet rabbit after graduating from university in 2018.

“I started teaching Year 6 and this is my second year in the Ochre Program. I love seeing the girls grow in their passion and growth in learning.”

Jye lived on Country for three years when young and grew up all around Australia. She has strong family connections back in the Kimberley and the majority of her mother’s family is based in Darwin. Her dad’s family is in Hobart.

Jye is a passionate runner and has become heavily involved with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) which is founded and organised by former Victorian Olympic marathon runner Rob de Castella (Deeks).

“Deeks is really involved in the squad. When we first arrived in Canberra he was there at our group discussions and greeted everyone with a big hug. He is a really genuine guy,” Jye said.

She was told about the program by her mother, who finished many marathons and 100 km events.

This year will be Jye’s fourth try-out for the IMF out of 150 applicants.

She already has done the Gold Coast Half Marathon and looks forward to the final marathon under the stars later this year. She is very excited about the feeling of achievement, completing an amazing physical and mental test and graduating in the IMF. “I want to promote community running in Darwin and change the culture of girls towards fitness and sport. I love seeing the girls really grow in their love of learning and get excited about classwork,” Jye said.

“I also want to be more involved in the HRS Running Club and support all students across the school in fitness and exercising.”

It’s clear that Jye has a sound plan and knows where she’s heading. She also has wise words of advice for all of us.

“You can do it; anything you set your mind to. There are so many people in your corner who want you to achieve all your goals and dreams.

“Ask for help; whether it be with school work, mental health or just needing a yarn. People are here to help and support everyone.”

The School will be behind you, Jye, in all that you do.

The call to heal country

This year’s NAIDOC theme, Heal Country! reinforced the call from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to continue to seek greater protections for land, water, sacred sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.

Traditionally celebrated during the term break, we recognised NAIDOC after returning for Term 3 with a robust series of events embraced by the entire Haileybury Rendall School community.

Through curriculum, library sessions, and activities during breaks, we recognised our rich history, the diversity of cultures that make up our School, as well as the many achievements of our students and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Two assemblies kicked off the week with a powerful and challenging Welcome to Country presented by our Cultural Adviser, Aunty Bilawara Lee. Our younger students were welcomed by Larrakia students Lalwa May and Ebanie Wauchope and listened to our Aboriginal Liaison and Larrakia woman, Kristy Hayes, reflect on the importance of NAIDOC to her community. To conclude both assemblies, a cleansing and healing Smoking Ceremony was conducted by Trent Lee.

In the ELC, a broad range of activities was explored. The experiences for our youngest cohort were varied and rich and included both physical and Arts-based collaborations with older students from across the School, including a visit from Year 5 to share their amazing digital creations of Dreaming stories.

A NAIDOC Heal Country Walk involved students running and walking enthusiastically and as far as they could manage, all while proudly wearing their personal commitments with Heal Country bibs.

Year 8 students enjoyed a presentation from two senior Larrakia men, Mr Richard Fejo and Mr John Rawnsley. They presented on a range of issues including First Nations kinship systems and the history of the struggle for land rights in Australia.

In Senior School the achievements of Australian Boomers Captain Patty Mills, and how he uses his voice and profile to advocate healing and unity between all Australians, were examined. A highlight of our assembly was the performance by the VCAL band whose members always bring energy to every event they play at.

To conclude the week, an Upcycled Fashion Parade coordinated by the Stars Foundation Team was also well supported by Senior School students—as models, support crew and audience members.

Shania Tipungwuti-Edwards, Social Justice Prefect, commented that "It’s not necessary to always choose new. Upcycle your clothing, wear secondhand and share clothing with friends and family. We can 'heal country' by choosing the environment over consumerism."

Ian Smith, Head of Aboriginal Community Relations, noted how pleasing it was “to witness the growth in the scope of activities that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, identities and cultures since Haileybury Rendall School began. As a school, we have an obligation to inform our young cohort of the lives, histories and achievements of the First Australians.”