Waroona District High School comes together for NAIDOC Week celebrations

Students at Waroona District High School marked the end of term two last week celebrating culture, community and country.

With a range of activities on offer, the school held its NAIDOC Week festivities to recognise the annual celebration, which started on July 5 and runs until July 12.

The annual NAIDOC Week event is nationally recognised and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples’ history, culture and achievements.

This year’s theme is 50 Years of Deadly which recognises five decades of coming together to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people while acknowledging all those who have shaped NAIDOC Week.

WDHS primary deputy principal Hannah Moore said it was important to recognise and celebrate the culture not only during NAIDOC Week but after it to ensure inclusiveness and steps towards reconciliation.

“The kids are the future and they’re really going to drive that forward and create inclusive communities into the future of their life and their adulthood,” she said.

On Wednesday, Ms Moore said students heard from the school board chair and Boodja Ventures director Brad Vitale, while on Thursday they had the opportunity to try a traditional lunch, supported by Farmers Catering, which included kangaroo stew and damper.

The festivities continued on Friday with the NAIDOC assembly, a community walk on the oval where they formed the number 50 and a morning tea which was attended by local elders.

With a focus on leaving the legacy of language around the school, Ms Moore said buddy activities were also held giving students the opportunity to work together on displays for the classroom names connected to country.

“We’re trying to be really purposeful about what we’re doing and that will continue forward, so it’s not just about this week, it’s about a long-term vision for where we’re going to head with the school and the students being leaders within the school moving forward with this work,” she said.

Ms Moore said the First Nations ambassadors were also formally presented with their badges on Friday.

“The initiative was developed to provide meaningful leadership opportunities for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students while strengthening cultural identity, student voice and connection across our school,” she said.

Waroona Rangers trainee Saverio Jetta said the rangers also visited the school throughout the week doing some cooking and storytelling.

He said NAIDOC Week was important to help continue passing down and teaching their culture and create more connections.