Koorie Education
“Noorat Primary School creates a learning environment that respects, acknowledges and celebrates Indigenous culture through pedagogy and practice.”
Our aim at Noorat Primary School is to provide quality and meaningful educational outcomes to young Koorie people while increasing cultural awareness of our non-indigenous staff and students. We work with our Koorie Education Support Officers (KESOs) to develop an understanding of Koorie perspectives, and support the development of high expectations and individualised learning for Koorie students. Noorat Primary School is committed to creating an environment that respects, recognises and celebrates cultural identity, and implementing initiatives that meet student needs in partnership with the Koorie community.
Noorat Primary School acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Kirrae Whurrung People. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea, culture and community and pay respect to all elders past, present and emerging.’
Aboriginal dates of significance:
26 January: Survival Day
13 February: Anniversary of the National Apology
20 March: National Close the Gap Day
26 May: National Sorry Day
27 May – 3 June: National Reconciliation Week
3 June: Mabo Day
1st Sunday in July until the following Sunday: NAIDOC week
4 August: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
9 August: International Day of World’s Indigenous People
10 December: Human Rights Day
Multi Sensory Indigenous Garden
Our multi sensory Indigenous Garden is now complete with a wide range of native plants. Signage explains the different plants and their environmental and personal benefit, such as; bush tucker, medicinal, bee attracting, etc.
‘Family Tree’
Our ‘Family Tree’ is a vibrant part of our sensory garden and was created by all staff and students with a local Indigenous Artist. Our Artist shared stories about being an Indigenous woman, her connection to Country, her family and how she uses art to share stories and awareness. Students learnt about symbols and used native materials to create their individual discs. Our sensory garden is a space for quiet reflection and collaboration between school and community groups to build stronger ties and greater awareness of local indigenous culture.
Bunjil the eagle
Our Hands on Learning team created a bright mural depicting Bunjil soaring over Mount Noorat. Working collaboratively and with the support of local suppliers, this bright and meaningful artwork is a talking point in our school to embrace culture through artwork and storytelling.
Factual information taken from aiatsis.gov.au/