Celebrating NAIDOC Week
ELC children celebrated NAIDOC Week with a series of engaging and educational activities designed to immerse them in the rich culture and traditions of Australia's First Nations people.
We participated in the flag-raising assembly, where the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were raised. The whole school took part, reflecting on the significance of these flags and their importance of acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land.
Our ELC Brighton campus joined us via Zoom, fostering a sense of unity and community across our locations. The children were excited to see their friends from Brighton and share in the joy of the story together. We gathered for story time with Damper and Milo, where our Middle School friends, Dot and Taitum, read No Way Yirrikapayi, a tale of a hungry crocodile’s adventures on Melville Island. This story allowed our children to explore the vibrant world of Australian wildlife and learn about the diverse ecosystems that exist both on land and in the sea.
We welcomed special guests from Elcho Island, who played "The Boat is Sinking" with the children. This game taught our children about teamwork and the importance of keeping their "boats" afloat. It was a wonderful opportunity for our children to engage with visitors and learn more about the culture and traditions of others.
The celebration continued with face painting, where our children enjoyed seeing their faces transformed with beautiful designs. The smiles and excitement were a testament to the joy and pride our children felt in embracing these artistic expressions.
Throughout the week, we incorporated Dreamtime stories into our daily routine, such as The Rainbow Serpent and How the Birds Got Their Colours. These stories, rich in meaning and cultural significance, captivated our young listeners and sparked their imaginations.
Children also had the opportunity to decorate boomerangs, thread beads to make their rainbow serpents, create dot paintings, piece together nature collages, and manipulate model playdough using traditional Aboriginal symbols. These hands-on activities allowed them to explore their creativity while learning about the significance of these cultural artifacts.
NAIDOC Week at ELC was a wonderful celebration of culture, learning, and community. We are grateful to Kristy Hayes, everyone who organised the activities, and our parents for making this week a memorable experience for our children.
We hope to continue fostering a love for learning and a deep respect for the rich cultural heritage of Australia's First Nations peoples.
Arnie Reyes
Lead Educator
