Karrara
Aboriginal Education information from Dapto High School .
Yulunga
Welcome to Dharawal Country and our Dapto High School Karrara Hub,
a place where we yarn about Aboriginal Education in our school.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay our respects to the elders both past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and the hopes of Aboriginal Australia. We must always remember that under the concrete and asphalt this land is, was and always will be traditional Aboriginal land.
On Country with Aunty Shas
Yesterday, on the 27th of March, I had the privilege of accompanying 20 Year 10 students on a transformative journey to meet two esteemed Aboriginal community members Aunty Shas and Kathleen. This immersive experience provided us with an invaluable opportunity to delve deep into the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Dharawal people, fostering a profound sense of connection and understanding. Our day commenced in the library, where we spent the first two periods engrossed in learning about the traditional ways in which Indigenous people lived off the land. Through captivating stories and hands-on demonstrations, we gained insights into the resourcefulness and ingenuity of Aboriginal communities, particularly in utilizing natural materials for various purposes. We were introduced to the coolamon, a versatile vessel used by Indigenous communities for collecting water, carrying babies, and storing food. Exploring historical artifacts and learning about its multifaceted utility shed light on the resourceful practices of Aboriginal ancestors and their deep connection to the land.
Our cultural immersion journey took us to Mt Keira, known to the Dharawal people as Djeera, where we embarked on two enlightening bushwalks guided by Aunty Shas. As she rhythmically tapped the clap sticks as a mark of respect to the elders and spirits of the mountain, we felt a profound sense of reverence and acknowledgment for the land we traversed.
Aunty Shas and Kathleen shared with us the captivating Dreamtime story of Mt Djeera, weaving a tapestry of mythology and history that deepened our appreciation for the spiritual significance of the land.
Discovering the dual significance of the Lomandra plant, traditionally used for weaving and as a vital source of hydration, offered us a glimpse into the symbiotic relationship between nature and culture within Aboriginal traditions.
This immersive cultural experience has left an indelible mark on my understanding and appreciation of the local Dharawal people and their enduring cultural legacy. Through the wisdom imparted by Aunty Shas and Kathleen, I have gained a deeper respect for Aboriginal traditions, a heightened awareness of our shared history, and a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to engage with and learn from the custodians of this land.As I reflect on this enriching journey of cultural discovery, I am profoundly grateful for the insights, knowledge, and perspectives shared by Aunty Shas and Kathleen. Their generosity in imparting cultural wisdom and heritage has illuminated my path towards greater cultural sensitivity, empathy, and respect for Aboriginal culture and history.
Mia Barnes
Now more than Ever - Reconciliation Walk 2024
On Thursday, May 16th, a powerful Reconciliation Walk was organised by the Dapto Careways Community, uniting individuals in a shared journey towards healing and understanding. The event featured insightful talks from notable speakers including Aunty Joyce, Uncle Richard, Uncle Mark, and Gordon Bradbery, enlightening participants with their wisdom and perspectives on reconciliation. Dapto High School students played the didgeridoo, infusing the air with rhythmic vibrations and cultural resonance. Participants embarked on a symbolic walk from Kanahooka foreshore to Koonawarra Community Centre, journeying together towards a shared vision of reconciliation and mutual respect. Our dances collaborated with Mount Brown students to perform a traditional cleansing, Eel dance, and cultural movements. As we reflect on the significance of this event, we acknowledge the pivotal role it plays in fostering unity, respect, and inclusivity in our community.
Clap Sticks with Corinne Payne
During the last 10 weeks, students had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with Corinne Payne from Buribun Art on a project centered around crafting their own set of clapsticks. This experience empowered students to delve into the realm of art and symbols, allowing them to convey their unique narratives through creative expression and storytelling.
Karrara Mural with Corinne Payne
In 2023, our students had the privilege to collaborate with local artist Corinne Payne to transform parts of our school into a mural, becoming the new face of our Kararra space. Kararra, meaning the upper meeting place of Mullet Creek, holds a special significance tied to the surrounding wetlands, diverse flora including bottlebrush, banksia, wattle, as well as the bustling wildlife comprising birds, koalas, possums, and the sacred Lomandra plant.
This artwork not only encapsulates the rich history and knowledge systems of the Kararra area but also vividly illustrates the enduring vibrancy of our country through the lens of those who cherish its beauty. The mural serves as a visual storytelling medium, highlighting the interconnectedness between the land, its inhabitants, and the unique biodiversity that thrives within it.
By engaging in this project, our students not only honed their artistic skills but also gained a deeper appreciation for the cultural and ecological significance of their surroundings. The mural stands as a testament to the harmony and resilience of Kararra's ecosystem, showcasing the enduring beauty and vitality of our land.
CAREWAYS ART Project with Brendan Newton
Students have spent the past 13 weeks learning about culture, Connecting to Country and designing and painting a school banner.
Our banner encompasses our school's values, Acknowledgment to Country, our community, history and environment.
Y7 Clapstick Workshop with Corinne Payne
Week one saw the commencement of our clapstick workshop with Year 7. All Y7 Aboriginal students have been given the opportunity to make their very own set of clapsticks with local Aboriginal artist Corinne Payne from Buribun Art. Students will spend the next 4-5 weeks shaping, designing and learning about the history and meaning of the clapsticks.
Students have completed their personal stories that connect them to their clapstick. They used bees wax to coat and protect their finished product.
NAIDOC Week Touch Football COMP
Our Koori kids all had a great day over at Illawarra Sports High playing in the annual NAIDOC Week Touch Football Knockout. This year our playing tops were designed by Cooper B in Y11 a proud Yuin boy.
Aunty Joyce Donovan
As part of our Reconciliation Celebrations, we had the honour of welcoming Elder Aunty Joyce Donovan. She gave a Welcome to Country and spoke about the importance of reconciliation and the empowerment of being a voice for the generations. Aunty Joyce yarned as she showed students how to make fresh scones using hot coals and camp ovens.
In the Classroom
This term, year 8 is learning about Indigenous Peoples, Colonisation and Contact History. They have had the opportunity to listen to Corrine Payne a Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung, Ngarabal and WalbanjaYuin woman living on Dharawal country in the beautiful Illawarra. Corinne has lived her whole life on Dharawal country and is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Archaeology and Ancient History and minoring in Indigenous studies. She is a Contemporary Aboriginal Artist and runs an art business, Buribun Art, where she shares her cultural knowledge and love of art with anyone. On behalf of Year 8 History, thank you Corrine for sharing your knowledge and culture and for a great lesson on Aboriginal history and culture.
Ms Naydovska
HSIE Teacher
Year 9
This term Year 9 are learning about human rights and freedoms. Mr Martin's class has recently created a visual representation of a timeline detailing human rights for First Nation's peoples over the last 45,000 years to today.The chain links of red, yellow and black paper strips include a date and relevant political events on each of the yellow strips. Students can visit this display in the hallway near the HSIE staffroom, and scan QR codes to receive more specific information on each date to learn more!
Mr Martin
Corinne Payne workshops
Indiginous artist Corrine Payne, a Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung, Ngarabal and WalbanjaYuin woman. Will be running a varity of workshops with our students through 2023.
Term 2: New sports shirt and bucket hat design. Weaving.
Term 3: Clap Sticks with Year 7
Term 4: Art pieces
Year 12 English ‘Gumaara’ Experience.
The Aboriginal tour and education company ‘Gumaara’ treated Year 12 English Students to a wonderful and authentic indigenous experience based on the traditions of the Dharawal and Yuin Nation.
Our students are currently studying what it means to be Australian in 2023, through literature, poetry and stories told by First Nation Australians in our local area.
We were delighted to meet Sam, who delivered a very informative and entertaining presentation to our students.
After commencing with a smoking ceremony, Sam shared his expertise and skills in a demonstration of the tools used for hunting in his traditional culture. This was followed by a music lesson in playing the digeridoo and a walk around our leafy school where Sam identified many plants and their uses in his Bush Tucker talk. He really engaged the students with his sense of humour and confession that he actually likes KFC better than Bush Tucker any day!! Students were respectful as they listened to Dreamtime stories at the end of a wonderful experience for all!
Students responded positively with comments such as,
“I liked Sam, he was so very funny.”
“He demonstrated how to use traditional tools and instruments.”
“He liked KFC a lot- he kept comparing it to everything!”
“He played Didgeridoo. It was epic!”
“He made an engaging lesson that kept our attention.”
“It takes a long time to learn to play the didgeridoo.”
“He told us about the totems and that other people have different totems.”
“I loved how he talked about all the different bush tucker.”
“He told good dreamtime stories, especially about the local area.”
13Yarn (13 19 76)
Going through a tough time?
We're here to yarn.
Anyone in Australia can speak to a trained Crisis Supporter over the phone, any time of the day or night.
Mount Brown Public School
For the past few weeks Dapto High School and Mount Brown Primary School have connected to do numerous amounts of deadly activities. We were given options to do either: art, male dancing, weaving, female dancing or singing. For the art activity, we painted boomerangs with multiple colours representing our country. The singing group got to sing the National Anthem in Dharawal which is our local area's land/country. The girls dance group had multiple types of dances all in one, they did a cleansing dance, animal dance and the female shake-a-leg dance. The boys danced to the Didgeridoo too. At their school Cultural Ceremony, we got to perform our dances for teachers, parents, and other students. At the end of the performances, we formed a circle and had a smoking ceremony with uncle Richard.
Annie D and Piper D
Kirli Saunders poetry workshop 2022
We were lucky enough to have popular Aboriginal poet and author named Kirli Saunders running a workshop for our Indigenous girls on the 18th October 2022.
Kirli spoke to them about her journey and love for art, poetry and writings. She showed them a film that has been made out of her poetry and run a creativity workshop with them.
Aunty Barb a local elder, come and spoke to the girls and guided their inner creativity.
The program is being co-run with Illawarra Women's Health Centre and was open to Indigenous students in 7-12 who identify as female.
Southern Stars 2022
Last week we had 12 amazing Koori kids, dance at the 2022 Southern Stars, The Young, The Brave, The Powerful!
The Yanggaa Garaba Aboriginal Dance Ensemble opened the show with the Acknowledgment to Country.
Their dance woke up the country and cleansed the earth after COVID. It was a very powerful, goosebump expression of history and culture. The dance routine titled: Child of the Rainbow. Students proudly created and wore individualised woven belts with local shells and emu feathers.
Our students proudly represented community, our school and themselves with the highest amount of maturity, respectfulness and collaboration. We are very proud.
See Southern Stars tab for more images.
LAWN BOWLS CHAMPIONS
Great news! Ricci-Rose, Cael and Hamish (supported by Isaac) have WON a state lawn bowls championship! They defeated Gulgong High in a 17-11 win for the semi-final before overcoming stiff competition from Mudgee High in a hard fought 10-6 victory! Congratulations!
Australian U16 Youth Rep, Zachary D
Zachary, one of our fine Year 11 students, has set off to represent Australia at the AFF U16 Youth Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Zac was selected in the 23-player squad that comprises of the country's finest emerging young footballers to compete in the 12-team tournament commencing on 31st July. We all wish Zac the best of luck during the tournament and we are looking forward to following his football journey.
For anyone who wishes to watch Zac represent his country, Football Australia will be livestreaming the matches on their YouTube channel. Dates and times of each game are below.
Australia v Myanmar
Date: Tuesday 2 August 2022
Kick Off: 6pm (AEST)
Cambodia v Australia
Date: Friday 5 August, 2022
Kick Off: 6pm (AEST)
Malaysia v Australia
Date: Monday 8 August 2022
Kick Off: 6pm (AEST)
Zac will be wearing the number 13 Jersey and will be in the right back position for those who will be watching.
Young Aboringinal artist wins STAEDLER Artist of the year 2022 : Peoples choice
Year 10 Aboriginal artist, Cooper B wins People’s Choice Winner (Senior artist) for 2022.
On display in the foyer
Cooper sharing his stories through art
Coopers art work entitled
Coopers art work entitled
Karrara Bridge Artwork
Cooper B was commissioned by Wollongong City Council to design the artwork and story for Karrara Bridge, DAPTO. His artwork tells the story of Mullet Creek, Abloringinal meeting places, the native wildlife and escarpment.
His artwork is located along the bridge with DHS in the background.
Cooper B
I was asked to create an artwork representing Mullet Creek and the connection that Dapto High School and its community has with this area. My painting shows the Mullet Creek waterways which include the ponds and the creek which run near the school, where I used to catch fish and turtles when I was a kid. I’ve also painted the escarpment in the distance and the native birds that are part of our landscape and my life growing up here. I’ve shown Dapto High as a meeting place alongside Mullet Creek and am proud that they asked me to represent the school.
AIME Hoodies have been very successful!
In 2021 Dapto High School Koori students worked alongside AIME founder Jack Manning and team to create an AIME hoodie and PODcast that incorporated our student's feeling, words and drawing of their Indigious heritage.
Project Sequence.mp4What does Karrara mean?
Karrara means meeting place alongside Mullet Creek, Dapto.
Where is our Karrara space located?
Located in the old PE staffrooms, on the back side of the school hall. It is a welcoming, safe and inviting space, filled with love, understanding and culture. Students are encouraged to pop by for a yarn with Anne, sit and chat, complete school work or take some time out for well being rejuvenation.
Anne works from the Karrara space on Mondays and Tuesdays, otherwise located in the front office Wednesdays and Fridays.
Mr Pfeffer and Ms Leighton can be found in the TAS staffroom and Mr Wood in the EAU office.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE - School Captain Charley Kennedy 2020-2021
May 2021
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Charley Kennedy is a young Kamilaroi man. He is a Year 12 student and a 2021 School Captain at Dapto High School. Most notably, Charley is the first Aboriginal School Captain at the school in 62 years.
Although originally reluctant to nominate for the role, the strong support of his peers and teachers convinced Charley to become a candidate. The comprehensive voting process ensured the election of the School Captain was recognised as an opportunity for students to choose their future leaders, promoting democracy within the school community.
Charley brings strong leadership qualities to the role, while setting a positive example for all Indigenous students who might aspire to leadership. Meeting Charley at the school it was clear that he has a great rapport with teachers and fellow students. Charley has been encouraged to participate in the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s exciting programme for high performing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 10 – 12, the Work Exposure in Government (WEX Virtual) programme. This programme enables participating students to
connect with each other and a team of mentors, supporting students as future leaders and policy makers. Dapto High School is committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. It has established a number of Aboriginal spaces throughout the school, including the Karrara Centre (an Aboriginal community space). The Karrara Garden was created by students through a cultural immersion program with renowned artist Daren Dunn. This space exceptional artwork and an expanding garden of selective native
plants at the entrance to the school.
