At the start of Term 1, students accross all classes at WHPS worked together to create a personalised Acknowledgement of Country for their class. Students learned about the differences between an Acknowledgement of Country and a Welcome to Country. They also learned about why we acknowledge the original custodians of the land we learn on.
On Friday the 20th of February, Uncle Mark Brown came to Wheelers Hill Primary school to hold a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Here’s what some students had to say about it.
The smoking ceremony was truly serene. Just by watching the smoke slow drift away, the smell of sweet wood drifting through the air, it made me feel connected to the Bunurong land that we stood on the day of the ceremony. I would highly recommend for my school- Wheelers Hill Primary School- to invest in the time to plan another ceremony either this year or in the following. Uncle Mark Brown was the host of this wonderful ceremony and walked us through what make the smoke smell sweet. He was very polite and understanding. I would highly recommend having a smoking ceremony in your school or community. - Mark K 6EB
From The School Captains
On the 20th of February, Uncle Mark Brown strode onto the center stage, captivating the audience immediately. He explained his spiritual connections to the Aboriginals, and how his family honors their roots to his ancestors. As he interpreted how he expresses respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, he added the different plants and leaves to the fire creating more smoke and leaving the viewers with awe! He used eucalyptus, acacia, and emu bush as kindling to his fire he was making. Uncle Mark often focused on acknowledging the First Nations ongoing connection to land, culture, and their status as Traditional Custodians. The principals and School Captains had been offered to walk through the smoke, which carries both spiritual and physical benefits, preparing the principals and captains for a safe, positive journey in their future and careers.
What is a “smoking ceremony?”
A smoking ceremony is an ancient aboriginal practice/custom involving the burning of plants to create smoke. It is supposed to cleanse people and spaces, ward off negative energy/spirits and promote health and wellbeing. Performed by Elders or knowledge holders, it signifies a fresh start and is used for events, healing, and to welcome visitors. It was a wonderful, spiritual way to welcome us to their country, the Wurunjeri Woi Wurrung and the Bunurong people’s land.
How did the Smoking Ceremony affect our thoughts and beliefs?
The Smoking Ceremony drew many students and teachers closer to the Aboriginals and Torres Straight Islanders. It was truly a way to reflect our thoughts about how the Aboriginals survived extremely difficult times. The Smoking Ceremony helped everyone put themselves in the Aboriginals and Torres Straight Islander’s shoes and build a connection between the two generations. Everyone felt a deep connection between Wheelers Hill Primary School and the Aboriginals and Torress Straight Islanders. We hope many people feel delighted about sharing a beautiful relationship with our First Nations. The Smoking Ceremony will always remain a celebration in our students, teachers and principals’ hearts.
Why was the Smoking Ceremony significant to WHPS?
This ceremony was a milestone in our school’s history. This was the first ever smoking ceremony, and it was a thoroughly enjoyed event. It helped us understand the importance of sharing our land with the Aboriginals, and the ways of the Indigenous. It helped make a bridge over the rift of uncertainties, from us to the Kulin Nation’s people. It helped us understand the lives, from the hardships to their successes, of the Indigenous. We learnt about their culture, their connections to the lands and waterways, and their spiritual ways. It was a significant event, in our lives, principal’s lives, our fellow student’s lives, and the school’s life. We are forever grateful for this wondrous experience.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express a special thank you to Mrs. Bartleton and Mr. Ramsey for organizing the prestigious event in WHPS’ history. This smoking ceremony experience was one of its kind. We appreciate that it was bestowed upon us, and we learned some valuable lessons from it. On behalf of WHPS, we would like to convey our gratitude to Uncle Mark Brown for performing the Smoking Ceremony, explaining his ties and relationships with the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders and reflecting the First Nations’ lifestyle. Thank you for devoting a substantial effort to plan and perform such a remarkable event!
In conclusion, we should never forget our roots and ancestors- just like how a tree uses their roots as steppingstones in their adolescence, we should use our ancestors and root’s hardships and successes to guide us into our later lives.
Written by
Ishaan Deepak and Amaira Gandhi,
School Captains
May 26-30th at school was Reconciliation Week at school where year levels discussed different ways we could show reconcilliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians.
Year levels completed a variety of activities, including some incredible artworks made by the Year 2 students using leaves they found around the school.
Have you seen our new Welcome Chair? WHPS is lucky enough to have a new chair up outside the STEM and LOTE rooms. This chair is to welcome our students to school and also acknowledge the Bunurong People whose land we learn on.
If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to head up to that beautiful open space and have a look.
As part of our Inquiry Unit of “Me On The Map”, our Year 1 and 2 students took part in an incursion run by Wanyara - a local group of Indigenous People who share their stories, culture and connection to Country. Students took part in some different activities that included Dance, Games and Artwork.
Here’s what Kate from 2EB had to say about it:
On Tuesday 11th of June, all the Year 2s had the Wanyara Incursion. The first activity we did was a game, it was called Pollodo. It’s like tag, but you wear two tags and you have to run around and try to pull other people’s tags. Tags are your lives and if you have no more, you are out of the game. The first round, I didn’t know what to do so I was out really quickly. After I watched other people, I knew what to do so the next round I played I was better, but didn’t win. But games aren’t all about winning!
After the game, we did some art. For the art, we used Aboriginal symbols to draw a story. They gave us coloured paint pens to draw symbols. When we were drawing, I learned a lot of symbols. After drawing, we got to share the drawings that we made - I shared mine second.
When we finished drawing, we went to a different class to do dance. We sat in a circle and we did actions for all the elements: fire, water, air and earth. We also did some different dances and actions. We got in line and flew around like a bird, then we went in a spiral to finish the dance.
This incursion was so fun!
A group of students from WHPS worked collaboratively on an art piece reflecting the theme “Uluru Statement from the Heart.”
After discussions with facilitator Mark Lumly, our students were inspired to be involved in the creation of this canvas, which they felt represented an important recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strat Islander people. Our students gained a greater understanding of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and enjoyed working together, using their creativity and imagination to create this design.
On 27th of May to 3rd of June, it was Reconciliation Week. National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
All classes took part in some Reconciliation Week activities. Most classes created an Acknowledgement of Country, and took part in a variety of tasks surrounding why Reconciliation Week is important to us all.
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Image: Harold Joseph Thomas
We would like to acknowledge the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, who are the traditional custodians of the land on which Wheelers Hill Primary School rests.
We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the cultures and hopes of Aboriginal Australia.
Image: Bernard Namok
