SOUTHERN SCHOOLS
TOWNSVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOLS
St Mary’s Catholic School, Bowen To begin Term 3, our entire school
Holy Spirit Catholic School, Cranbrook
community gathered to celebrate NAIDOC week. We began the day with a Liturgy, including a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country from Uncle Jim Gaston, and traditional dancing from the Juru dance group, which this year included one of our Prep students. Father Thomas delivered a beautiful Homily that reflected the 2021 NAIDOC theme for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday – ‘Heal Country.’ We also have been fortunate to adopt Uncle Jim Gaston as our Wildlife Ranger. We thank
St Colman’s School, Home Hill
Good Shepherd Catholic School recently
As part of the NAIDOC week celebrations
their shake-a-leg skills. During rehearsals,
ran a competition with families to design an
at Holy Spirit Catholic School, Aboriginal
Uncle Les also yarned with the boys
Indigenous shirt for our staff. The winning
and Torres Strait Islander boys from
about the significance of being painted
design was created by the Aplin Family and
across the school came together to
up with ochre during performances
portrays Good Shepherd Catholic School in
form the Nalgaray Dance Troupe. The
and shared Dreamtime stories. The
the middle of the art piece as a gathering
boys worked with members of the
dancers made their debut at the school’s
place with the Elders, families, students and
Wulgurukaba Walkabouts, Les Tanna
NAIDOC week Liturgy, performing to a
staff all coming together from the outside in
(aka Uncle Les), Glen Thomas and Ashley
captivated audience of family, teachers
to meet and work together. At the bottom of
Saltner, who taught them the Gabul
and peers. The boys had a great time
the art piece are the two rivers in Townsville
dance, Baragan dance and the happy
and can’t wait to perform again.
– the Bohle and the Ross. The Aplin Family were the first to receive the shirts at a
Uncle Jim for his contributions to our school
'Heal Country, heal our nation' is a call for
were able to then complete activities
dance where the boys got to show off
and for enriching the lives of all students
stronger measures to help all Australians
based on the importance of the land.
through sharing his story and having a yarn.
understand that Aboriginal and Torres
Students listened to stories, made their
St Clare’s Catholic School, Burdell
Strait Islander peoples have a unique
own Gubulla Munda (Aboriginal totem
Year 6 were stuck on every word (pun
melted down. The children learned how
way of viewing the land. Our NAIDOC
of the Birri Gubba people), investigated
intended) when learning about different
resin can be used as an adhesive, a
day activities at St Colman’s Home Hill
different Indigenous lands across
materials that Aboriginal and Torres Strait
waterproofing agent, to add strength, as
reflected this theme and helped the
Australia and created a mural with our
Islander peoples traditionally use as
a burning torch, and as an item of trade.
students come to a better understanding
painted feet walking across country.
adhesives. Les Tanna talked about how
Les also showed the children how to fix
and respect for how our Indigenous
NAIDOC celebrations will continue as
some resins can be derived from plant
a leaking coolamon and tools with native
people have a close relationship to land.
we welcome Indigenous artist, Arthur
sources like Spinifex and Grass tree as
beeswax and tar. It was then time to scour
After a beautiful Liturgy where many
Conlan to the school in early September.
well as other forms such as beeswax
the school grounds to start collecting
and tar from the road that could be
from the Moreton Bay Ash trees.
of our parents joined us in prayer we
Good Shepherd Catholic School, Rasmussen
special presentation during NAIDOC week.
TOWNSVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOLS
St Michael’s Catholic School, Palm Island This term the senior girls' class at St
song and movement. These young
Michael's created a vibrant artwork to
ladies have also been writing creative
reflect the 2021 NAIDOC theme of 'Heal
responses to Nadia Wheatley and Donna
Country!' Each student coloured individual
Rawlin’s 'My Place', thanks to Miss Ros.
tiles in a patterned map of Australia which now hangs in the school's foyer. The artwork was displayed during the schools NAIDOC Liturgy and the senior girls and their Culture Teacher, Miss Therese, led the school in Torres Strait Islander
Last term Sean Choolburra taught students how to weave grass skirts and he would be thrilled to see the girls have now woven their own traditional get up with the help of Miss Trish. Gonna
St Joseph’s Catholic School, The Strand
be a deadly Christmas Concert!
Engaging with our local environment, Year
turtle was spotted and appeared to follow
2 and Year 6 students and staff walked
students along the trail. A Cairns Birdwing
to Garbarra (Kissing Point) to learn about
Butterfly flew among and landed on staff as
Indigenous histories and culture. Guided
Dreamtime stories were explained. Students
by Ms Annette Jaxon, school-based
and staff were moved by these spiritual
Indigenous Education teacher, students
and unexpected encounters. Teachers
and staff were immersed in the stories of
and students will continue to engage
the Dreamtime and the abundance and
in these unique learning experiences
variety of bush food sources within the
to create a deeper understanding of
landscape. Ms Annette explained the
Indigenous perspectives and cultural
importance of awareness of signs when on
traditions within the local context.
Country. As Year 6 students walked, a sea
22
23
