NAIDOC Week Activities

Students returned from school holidays to NAIDOC Week celebrations at both campuses last week.

NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme was 50 Years of Deadly, which celebrated 50 years of work led by Elders, organisers, artists and activists.

During NAIDOC Week, students created turtle mobiles, played Marngrook and completed the Opening the Doors Foundation (OTDF) Together We Walk walk-a-thon.

Turtle mobiles

In Dreaming stories, turtles are recognised as creator beings and caretakers of both sea and land, symbolising a strong connection to Country. Turtles are also recognised as a totem. In Indigenous cultures, a totem is a natural object, such as a plant or animal, that is passed down through a family and represents a person’s lineage and connection to Country.

Students had the opportunity to explore the significance of turtles in Indigenous cultures by creating turtle mobiles using egg cartons.

Marngrook

Marngrook is a traditional Indigenous ball game that is widely believed to have influenced the development of Australian rules football. Unlike many modern sports, Marngrook did not have fixed goals or a winning team. Instead, it was often played as a social and ceremonial activity that promoted teamwork and community connection.

The game was traditionally played by large groups, with players attempting to catch and return a possum-skin ball that had been kicked or thrown into the air.

During NAIDOC Week, students participated in a modified version of Marngrook, competing in teams to maintain possession of the ball for as long as possible. This activity allowed students to experience an important aspect of Indigenous culture while enjoying a fun and engaging game.

Walk-a-thon

Our students and staff walked more than 3500 laps at their respective campuses as part of our annual Together We Walk walk-a-thon for OTDF.

Students walked laps around areas of each campus alongside their peers, raising funds to improve First Nations students’ access to educational opportunities.

The Walk-a-thon highlighted the importance of reconciliation and symbolised walking together towards a brighter and more inclusive future.