SOCIALS & DISCOS

From the earliest days in the old school hall with parents Bev and Richard King on the piano and drums, who remembers the Barn Dance? Then came recorded music – The Bird Dance, Hokey Pokey and the Limbo. Boot Scootin’ Boogie and all the line dances. Chips and a cordial at interval!

Disco favourites – and Sam Hall’s first steps into the world of dance! The themed dress up nights! Dancing rehearsals after lunch on the playground lines with Mrs Druitt and Mrs Youngwith everyone wanting to be called to assist as an instructor out the front! On to the Bradley Hall in later years with ‘DJ Linda’ Harvey, with all the upbeat tunes and flashing lights! Memories!

celebrations, current issues, politics and our local First Nations people in Deniliquin. The program catered for students from Kindergarten through to Year 6, so the scope and content of investigations conducted was varied in depth of knowledge.

During terms 2, 3 and 4 we utilised the learning kit, ‘Our Land, Our Stories- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Peoples. Histories and Cultures’. This learning kit allowed scope and flexibility to modify and adjust the investigative processes and learning activities to be embellished and enriched with local content. The whole program was enthusiastically undertaken and received by all students. Practical aspects of the program were easily implemented and adjusted to suit as we continued.

One of the outcomes of the program was the design and construction of the ‘Yarning Circle’ in our school garden for classes to use regularly. Another outcome of the program was an art display to showcase student art/craft pieces.

About George Day

George Day commenced his journey at Edward School in 1977, where he was employed as an Aboriginal Education Assistant straight from Deniliquin High School. From 1981 he was heavily involved with the writing of an Aboriginal Studies Program with Julie Follett. Over the next decade, George continued in this and other teaching support roles, and was encouraged to undertake his teachers training by distance education. Mrs Follett, Adrian Parker, and Margaret Smith offered great support and encouragement to George during his studies. In 1992 he proudly graduated and was appointed as the first Aboriginal teacher in the Riverina. George still remains a very special staff member of Edward School. Although ‘retiring’ in 2020, he remains teaching in a part time capacity, conducting our First Nations Awareness Program with Narelle Labib. George has spent his entire educational working life of more than four decades as a highly respected, loved and much admired member of the Edward School staff.