Indigenous Garden at Sacred Heart Primary School 

 Naraganawali gawar, dambaliny, murring - Nurturing hearts, minds and spirits

We have recently completed the major works of phase two of our Indigenous garden space. This newly created space looks to live out our school motto of Nurturing hearts, minds and spirits (Naraganawali gawar, dambaliny, murring) with its design being based on gathering the community together to help care for its body and mind. 

The first section ‘Murring’ of the garden created a calming, spiritual focus for the community, looking to blend both Indigenous and Catholic culture together. So too has a conscious effort been made to achieve this aim in the second phase of the garden, ‘Gawar, Dambaliny’.  The design of the garden itself has been based upon a campsite theme with four circular garden beds being built.  Symbolising and embracing the theme of campsites and people coming together to share stories.  The plants within the garden have been selected for their tool, medicinal and bush food properties. The materials used for the garden have been sustainability sourced, with local trees being repurposed to create garden beds and earth from surrounding building sites being used for backfill and garden beds. 

In looking to the future, the school is engaging with an Indigenous Artist to create a mural for the space.  Sacred Heart has also been engaging with Greening Australia, to have an Indigenous plant expert visit the school and talk with students about how plants were used for different purposes. 

It is hoped that through the creation of this garden the students at Sacred Heart will be provided with tangible links to the surrounding Indigenous culture of the region.  Helping the staff and community to bring life to the curriculum in a meaningful and contextual way that deepens their understanding and respect for our Indigenous history and culture.

The Peer Support program at Scared Heart has provided support to all students to positively impact their wellbeing by strengthening relationships through a positive school culture. This year the Peer Leaders worked in small groups to provide students with social and emotional knowledge and skills. They had a shared language to help guide students through their emotional responses and interactions with others.

We are very proud of all student’s participation in the program. The Year 6 Peer Leaders demonstrated impressive management of their groups whilst being supporting and good role models to all.

BOOK WEEK

BOOKFACE CHALLENGE

 

Participate in our BOOK WEEK CHALLENGE. Take a photo of yourself or a friend/family member holding a book/magazine that aligns with your face/body.

 Email Mrs Borgia josie.borgia@cg.catholic.edu.au for your chance to win a Scholastic Book Voucher. Vouchers drawn Term 3, Week 10.

 How funny or creative will your idea be? Check out some ideas below.