NAIDOC Week

Wednesday 18 November, 2020

NAIDOC Week was celebrated around Australia in mid-November. In 2020 the dates were moved from July to November due to the increased risk of COVID-19 to our First Nations people.

NAIDOC is a time to acknowledge the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There is always a theme for the week, which is often based around celebrating our First Nations people or highlighting important topics that need to be discussed on a National scale.

The 2020 NAIDOC Week theme is: ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’. This theme recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have occupied and cared for this continent for more than 60,000 years.

Celebrations were held across all five sub-schools at Pymble. Our Indigenous students made three videos to share their culture and personal stories highlighting their connection to Country. These were shown in the Preparatory, Junior and Secondary Schools. There were also hands-on activities to explain the importance of both weaving and the boomerang.

Our Indigenous dance troupe performed a dance which had been adapted by the group to include stories of their totems

The Preparatory School was fortunate enough to welcome some of our Indigenous Boarders into their classrooms. Our Boarders had prepared a video explaining their heritage and acknowledging country and then performed a traditional dance which our girls enjoyed watching, celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Together the girls worked on traditional weaving, which had them all sharing stories and enjoying spending time together.

We thank our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families for their willingness to share their stories and culture with our community, enabling us all to learn, acknowledge and move forward as a Nation.