MS Readathon

August is here!! Let's get reading!! 

The stats so far are:

• 17 students registered!
• $754 out of the $1000 goal raised 
• 37 Books read so far 

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD OR CHILDREN TO READ and then join our school!

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cross Curriculum Priorities

The last few days I have had the privilege of attending a 'Walk on Country' spirituality retreat with other staff members of Catholic Education. We flew to Winton (Western QLD) and met with local elders of the Koa Country to learn more about ourselves, stories of aboriginal heritage, and a way to move forward in our world. I felt so grateful for the last few days, and I wanted to use this as an opportunity to discuss the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Culture Cross Curriculum Priorities (CCPs) with you. The CCPs are part of the Australian Curriculum and teachers work towards embedding them within their teaching and learning. 

“Through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority, the Australian Curriculum …provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the ability to see themselves, their identities and cultures reflected in the curriculum; and allows all students to engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.”

Some ways we at St Benedict’s integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures into our teaching and learning include:

• The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Flags are flown along with the Australian Flag
• Use of Aboriginal Language Maps
• Acknowledgment of Country (Wulgurukaba and Bindal Peoples)
• Celebration of culture
• Bush Tucker Trail
• Connection and Care for Country (links to our eProjects)
• Listening and learning from Aboriginal Eelders and Traditional Owners
• Finding connections between Indigenous Spirituality and Catholic Spirituality
• And many other ways within the classroom

If you have any ideas or connections to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures that you are willing to share, please email myself (arockemer1@stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au), or our Indigenous Education Teacher Lizzy Christie (echristie3@stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au). We would love to hear your stories. The biggest THANK YOU to parents and families who have already shared your knowledge and wisdom with our school community. 

Yours in Learning, 

Aleesha Rockemer