NAIDOC Week Celebrations

Schools across the Diocese have been busy celebrating and recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for NAIDOC Week.

Catholic Schools Office PUBLISHED August 19, 2024

St Aloysius Primary School, Chisholm

In celebration of NAIDOC Week, St Aloysius students took the time to honour the history, culture and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The school community gathered for a beautiful mass with Father Paul celebrating this years theme, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud”, where First Nations students from St Aloysius and St Bede’s shared special performances from the boys' didgeridoo group and the girls' dance group.

Students also participated in a colour run featuring vibrant colours representing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, tying in perfectly with the spirit of NAIDOC Week.

St Francis Xavier’s Primary School, Belmont

As members of the Powaikaliko Malang Catholic Community of Schools, St Pius X, Windale, and St Patrick's, Swansea came together with St Francis Xavier’s, Belmont to celebrate NAIDOC Week as a united community.

The day kicked off with a powerful opening ceremony followed by various workshops including traditional dance, music, art, bush tucker tasting and weaving.

St Columba’s Primary School, Adamstown

St Columba’s, Adamstown celebrated NAIDOC week with a morning ceremony followed by a day of workshops and activities delivered by various First Nations presenters that celebrated the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and peoples.

St Clare’s High School, Taree

St Clare’s students proudly represented their school through traditional dance at the first all-schools NAIDOC Showground event. Their performance included dances, music, costumes, and symbolic ornamentation which beautifully illustrated the deep connection between the body and the spiritual world of their ancestors.

In addition to performing, students participated in a range of activities, including weaving, traditional games, shell art and a poetry/storytelling workshop.

San Clemente High School, Mayfield

St Paul's Booragul, Catherine McAuley Medowie, St Pius X Adamstown, St Joseph's Lochinvar and St Catherine's Singleton visited San Celemente for an Indigenous Community Netball Day.

While some opted for a round robin of netball, others got creative outside in the sun with Torres Strait Islander artist Toby Cedar, to create six artworks representing their school totems, and a seventh piece which incorporates them all.

The school's Aboriginal food technology students catered the day with a barbecue lunch serving up hungry netball players throughout the afternoon.