NAIDOC Week | Sydney Catholic Schools

NAIDOC Week: A time to learn, lead and celebrate

NAIDOC Week (6-13 July) is an opportunity for us all to reflect on the rich cultures, deep histories, and remarkable achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,’ also has particular significance to young people. It’s a reminder that the future is in their hands, and that they have the power to carry forward the stories and spirit of those who came before.

So how do we encourage our children to embrace the wonders of Indigenous culture in the classroom and at home? And why is it so important that they learn and celebrate our nation’s Indigenous identity?

Stoking curiosity

In classrooms throughout NAIDOC Week, young learners will engage with stories, historical accounts, and Indigenous perspectives that enrich their understanding of Australia’s past and present.

These are moments to listen deeply, ask questions, and better understand the place we call home and the people who have continued to care for it for over 65,000 years. It’s also a chance for children to develop empathy, to see history through a new lens, and to think critically about the future they want to be part of.

Families can help build on this at home by reading books or watching programs created by First Nations people, and asking their children to explain and reflect about what they’ve learnt at school.

Art and performance has always been a powerful part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and during NAIDOC Week, young people will be encouraged to respond to the 2025 theme through creative projects.

Whether it’s experiencing First Nations music and dance, or crafting traditional artworks and pieces, students will come together to explore culture and honour our First Nations people past …

domenictrimboli01June 26, 2025|

CEF Keeping The Fire Burning this NAIDOC Week

The Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) is excited to announce the introduction of two new scholarship initiatives that will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS).

The CEF, the not for profit charity of Sydney Catholic Schools, is working with the University of Notre Dame to implement scholarships that will enable 10 Year 12 students to attend the university.

The scholarships will provide for out-of-pocket expenses, offer casual employment within SCS related to students’ field of study, and include an annual retreat to support their wellbeing and spirituality.

The CEF is also teaming up with Bennelong Energy Services (BES), an Indigenous operated electrical and security company owned by NRL legend Cliff Lyons, to help support a new generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tradespeople.

BES is providing two bursaries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to undertake school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBAT) within SCS, as well as work placements with the company.

The scholarships were announced during an event at Sydney Catholic Schools’ World Square Office which coincided with this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations.

Kathleen Badolato from the CEF said the support from both the University of Notre Dame and BES will prove invaluable to the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students within SCS.

“The CEF currently financially supports 965 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Students throughout SCS and the contributions of both organisations allows us to further that work,” she said.

“Importantly, both scholarship programs are centred on helping our students transition from school into the world beyond, and equipping them with the confidence and skills to succeed in whatever path they choose.”

Gaven Sheehan, Director and General …

domenictrimboli01July 5, 2024|

A show of hands for NAIDOC Week

As part of 2020 NAIDOC Week celebrations one Sydney Catholic school has unveiled unique child hand drawings steeped in tradition and colour.

“My hand pattern reminds me of the proud and positive feelings I have about my culture,” said St Therese’s Catholic Primary School Mascot Indigenous student, Charli Symonds.

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry executive officer, Dr Lisa Buxton, said she worked with 19 Indigenous students from Kindergarten to Year 6 at the school over several months, including Charli, to help co-create the artwork.

“The artwork features the hands of all the student-artists and the three circles and lines at the centre of the painting symbolises travel and the stages of the students’ learning journeys,” Dr Buxton said.

The finished artwork has been scanned and made into plaques, unveiled by principal Gabrielle McAnespie at a special assembly. These will be placed in each of the school’s 21 classrooms, offices and specialist classrooms.

“I like how we have an event like NAIDOC Week, to acknowledge and celebrate our traditions and culture”– Charli Symonds

“The project started as a short film where the students filmed their own ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ while sharing stories about their culture and traditions,” Dr Buxton said.

“It ended with both a film and an artwork where they chose colours to represent their own individual ideas about what ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ means to them as young Aboriginal people today.”

Year 6 student, Luke Chenhall, said he very much liked the idea of the plaques in the classrooms, saying “they act as an inspiration to the younger children.”

Charli, who is in Year 5, said the plaque shows “the amazing things Indigenous people have done for the land” and acknowledges them as the first people of the land “which is a terrific thing.”

By: JUDE THOMAS

Watch the video …

Isabell PetrinicNovember 12, 2020|

NAIDOC Week: A time to learn, lead and celebrate

CEF Keeping The Fire Burning this NAIDOC Week

A show of hands for NAIDOC Week

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our schools and offices now stand. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Contact

phone

Links

Follow Us

Translate