Over a month of school has been and gone and there have been some very exciting things happening around Porties in so many ways.
ATSI Shirts
One thing we have been enjoying this term is the number of students in class and in the yard with their new ATSI t-shirts. They have been a bright and colourful change to our uniform and there have been so many families excited to purchase and support the amazing work that our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students completed in Cultural Group a few years ago. We can’t thank you enough for being a part of making this possible and we are so proud of the work that has gone into making this a reality and seeing how excited and proud students are when wearing them.
Acknowledgement of Country
We have also had some very brave students from Cultural Group over the last couple of years practicing and delivering the Acknowledgement of Country at our assemblies and whole school events. This is a practice that we are working towards having as a regular part of our classroom routine and learning. As the year progresses some classes are starting the process of creating their own Acknowledgement of Country with their teachers and peers that they can use and say in class. Looking at incorporating elements of Aboriginal perspectives and culture, our gratitude for their care and understanding of the land, while also showing our own understanding of why we love Country and the land we live on all come together to create a meaningful and genuine Acknowledgement of Country which we believe is very important at PNPS.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Some other work that is happening in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and education at PNPS is our site Reconciliation Action Plan. We have been working on this with our ACEO Anji, a group of interested teachers and input from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, setting goals and working towards completing and publishing our RAP later this year. Part of this includes the planning and installation of a third flagpole to raise the Torres Strait Islander flag as well as inviting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to our school to be a part of community events, run sessions and workshops and facilitate Welcome To Country ceremonies where possible for community events. These are all vital elements of building a welcoming and inclusive site culture at Port Noarlunga Primary and we look forward to being able to invite students, parents/families and the wider community to share in these experiences where possible and continue this experience together.
Look out for events and updates throughout the year in relation to the work we are undertaking as a site in this space!
