NAIDOC Week - Always was, always will be
The theme this year for NAIDOC Week was 'Always was, always will be' to recognise that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. 
The ÁñÁ«ÉçÇø Junior School held a full week of NAIDOC celebrations with classes across the school taking part.
There were special artworks and stories created using Aboriginal symbols and totems, a deep look into incredible Aboriginal books and literature, incursions held by Sydney Live Museum to investigate the past, the Great Book Swap to support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and a traditional smoking ceremony conducted by Aboriginal elder Mrs Tammy Wright.
Each year group created their own Aboriginal totem working together using Australian native flora and fauna. Totems are believed to be the descendants of the Dreamtime heroes, or totemic beings.
Students created a snake, stingray, wallaby, goanna and turtle totem. It was amazing watching the students very carefully - and with a great deal of consideration - construct the totem, thinking about where each leaf, stick, shell or flower would go.
Students showed respect for both culture and art by looking at, but not touching the artworks created by other students in the school. By the end of the week, each totem was still in place displayed proudly for all to see. Students felt very proud of their work together.
The Great Book Swap was also a huge success raising over $860 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Thank you to everyone who collected books from home or gave a gold coin donation.
Art teacher, Ms Judith Price helped Year 6 students with an Indigenous art piece. She spoke with Maurice Goolagong (Central Coast 2020 Regional Committee Vice President of NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group inc) to help determine the culturally appropriate things students were permitted to design and paint within traditional boundaries.
The result is an incredible collaborative piece of work which the students will present to Junior School when they move to Middle School next year.
NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration usually held in July. However, the event was postponed due to the impacts and uncertainty from COVID. ÁñÁ«ÉçÇø held its NAIDOC Week celebrations in Week 2 Term 4.
