On Friday 1st July, Valentine Public School celebrated NAIDOC Week with a fantastic day of music, dance, art, sports, language, culture and fun!
Everyone got right into the spirit of the day by wearing the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags. The day began with a special assembly which involved our Indigenous students sharing their thoughts on NAIDOC Day and what it meant to them. Highlights included our very talented school choir singing the National Anthem in Awabakal. Next a stirring address was delivered by Laura Fernando, our former Prefect, now a student at Merewether High.
We were then treated to a fabulous performance by the wonderful dancers from Swansea PS. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performance and had a great time when we were invited to join in “Red, Black and Yellow” with our new friends.
This was followed by a delicious morning tea shared with our Indigenous students, families and performers. A lovely opportunity for staff and families to mingle and get to know one another.
Our day was now in full swing as students rotated around four, hands-on workshops which celebrated traditional Indigenous sports, painting, music, language and culture.
Our Indigenous sports included a game of “Koolchee” from the Diyari people and “Weme” a traditional ball throwing game from the Walbiri people of Central Australia. We all enjoyed a workshop creating and painting boomerangs and symbols. Other workshops included our students jointly composing a Valentine PS NAIDOC Day Rap which was performed by the entire school at the end of the day. This was led by Mr Budden and Aaron Hood from Rockcave Music.
Our day kept getting better with a fantastic performance from the Hunter Sports High Indigenous Dance group after lunch.
We concluded the day with an enthusiastic whole school performance of our special Valentine NAIDOC Day Rap. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and action packed day- a true celebration of Indigenous culture and a fantastic way to end Term 2!
“It was a fun day-I loved the painting” – Dorothy Year 4
“It was a great day for everyone. It helps educate everyone about indigenous culture” – Luke Year 5
“NAIDOC Day is the best day ever!” – Max Year 3
