Aboriginal students are encouraged to connect and reconnect with their culture. Community Liaison Officer Pauline Mitchell organised a two-day program at the end of Term 3.

Pauline invited guest speakers and Elders to speak and work with the students. Art, cooking and sporting activities were organised. They set up in the Learning Circle to give a sense of bush life, acknowledgement that a feeling of family, peace, happiness and love can be established anywhere.

Students cooked a campfire oven soup and a barbecue and did some yarning.

It is always great to have them all together talking and laughing and helping each other.

Pauline was most impressed by the deep and meaningful Sharing Time with the Elders. All got to hear about personal journeys that included a lot of pain and suffering over the years. All students were encouraged to share some of their life stories, which helped them make their own connections.

A most worthwhile two days spent together.

Story contributed by Karen Blatchford from Maitland Grossmann High School. Published in 2015.