National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Here at La Salle College, staff and students have been participating in a range of cultural activities this week to expand their awareness and enhance connections and learning experiences for our First Nations students.
A small group of staff, coordinated by Aboriginal Education Assistant Ms Beth Farmer, recently visited Kellerberrin, where they were guided through community and sacred sites by Balladong Elder Clem Jetta as part of the ‘didgeridoo project’.
The project provided a unique cultural experience for our staff who on return to the College were able to share their learnings and yarn and connect with our Aboriginal students through the process of making and learning to play the didgeridoo.
It was an enriching experience for those involved and La Salle hopes to provide more of these opportunities for our staff and students in the future to build stronger connections in our Lasallian school community.
Read about how students and staff felt about the didgeridoo experience.
Since arriving to La Salle in Year 7 I have been trying to practise how to play the didgeridoo without guidance. However, since having the opportunity at the College, being taught from Uncle Clem how to do the breathing technique, I've felt more connected to my culture. I was excited to be able to pick it up very quickly and I really enjoyed connecting with the other boys and was happy to see our teachers partaking too.
‘Visiting several sacred sites and cutting down the wood for the instruments was an enriching experience far removed from the classroom. We were very fortunate to gain this rare insight into the processes and procedures of a community that we can often feel quite separate from. We all came away with a positive mindset of removing these barriers and engaging more with people of different background who have so much to offer us.’ ‘Undoubtedly the best part of the experience was working with the Indigenous students to craft the didgeridoos upon our return to the college. There was a newfound appreciation for not only their culture but also their gifts and talents with the instruments. A few of the boys have shown their natural gifts with the breathing and playing, continuing to act as a support network for those of us whose musical gifts are more limited!’
“It was a wonderful initiative and an experience I was so thrilled to be a part of. The willingness of our guides and the stories they shared at Kellerberrin was so insightful. Following up back at school was a fantastic bonding experience with our Indigenous boys. We now converse at school (knowing each other) and we lent on each other as support when learning the instrument. I am so thankful for Beth’s guidance and organisation. Still working on my circular breathing though…”
