Our cool, foggy, frosty mornings are a beautiful sight in Wollombi. By recess the sun is shining, reminding us of how lucky we are to learn in such spectacular surroundings. Ngarralingayil has a way of making you feel grateful and happy, inside and out.

We have been working together on new Acknowledgements. They are still a work in progress,
but students are adding an individual touch by choosing words from their heart and they are very proud. Each morning, an eager student shares an Acknowledgement. It can be their own, our school one or even one we have learned in sign language.

National Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week, Mabo Day and NAIDOC have brought deeper discussions about culture and what it means to us. Our primary students led our Sorry Day assembly and shared their own thoughts and research through posters and art. We listened with sadness to Archie Roach singing Took the children away. The theme for Reconciliation Week was ‘More than word’. We continually make it ‘more than a word’ through sharing our culture, each, and every day. Our knowledge deepens and becomes strong and we can then share this with family and friends in the hope of creating a ripple. Our Geography units have
connected beautifully with the 2021 NAIDOC theme, ‘Heal Country’.

We started K-2 ‘Exploring Places’ and 3-6 'The Earth’s Environment' with the picture book, ‘My Country’ by Ezekiel Kwaymullina. It explains the relationship and sense of belonging a young girl feels for her country.

We have been talking about Country, what it means to us and how it connects everything around us. Country makes our spirit feel alive. We have talked about important places and recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ sacred places. This led to a great discussion and artwork on Uluru. Primary students have been learning about natural disasters with a focus on bushfires and how they affect our animals on Country. We have also discussed the famous Dorothea Mackellar poem, ‘My Country’.

We had an amazing trip to the Hornsby campus, with a swimming lesson, a tour of the beautiful Chapel with Rev Brown, and attended the wonderful NAIDOC Assembly. What an amazing sight that was to look around and see the whole of Barker Hornsby Pre-K-12 on the hill, respectfully acknowledging culture.

We have been learning how to keep our spirit strong and enjoy what the world around us has to offer. If you take the time to look around, the colours of Country that surround us, eve n in winter are amazing!