Students embrace culture

Pilbara primary schools celebrated NAIDOC Week with a host of colourful activities. Tambrey Primary School students ditched their school uniform in favour of bright superhero costumes. Students spent last Thursday painting three murals in Aboriginal designs to represent Dampier, Karratha and Tambrey.

Face painting, calico-bag decorating, basketball and Clontarf Football Academy workshops were also on the agenda. Principal Shannon Wright said NAIDOC Week was an important event as 30 per cent of the school’s student population were Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islanders. “NAIDOC Week recognises that a big part of Australian culture is respecting Aboriginal culture,” he said.

Mr Wright said the fun celebrations also carried a serious message about respect, moving forward and the opportunity for all children to reach their potential. Millars Well Primary School students also got crafty with some NAIDOC Week-themed T-shirts. Deputy principal Leah Clegg said she encouraged Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander students to be proud and stand up strong. At a special assembly at the school, eight indigenous students made speeches about their culture and heritage.

Special guest Seria Cedar performed her song Flag Song. Millars Well Aboriginal and Islander education officer Roz Randall said NAIDOC Week was about coming together and sharing culture. “There’s still so much people can learn from Aboriginal people,” she said. Pannawonica Primary School students decorated material bags with vibrant dot paintings. Tom Price Primary School kicked off celebrations with an assembly last Wednesday.

Welcome to country was conducted by Year 7 student Leith Walker and his mother Tania Stevens. After assembly, the students broke into multi-aged groups and participated in storytelling, boomerang designs, dot painting, Aboriginal dance, and even crafted their own tapping sticks. Aboriginal community members and artists helped students with a host of NAIDOC Week activities.