Our school’s celebration of NAIDOC Week was a vibrant and meaningful experience, filled with activities that honoured and embraced our first nations people and culture. Each day began with prayer, setting a reflective and respectful tone for the day’s events. Students engaged in creative activities such as gum leaf painting, bracelet making with beads, and bookmark crafting which not only fostered artistic expression but also deepened their connection to Indigenous traditions. The staff participated in a special prayer session for NAIDOC Week. The school community was also treated to a performance by Torres Strait Islander entertainer, Dion Drummond. Through storytelling and song, the children gained insights to many traditions and culture of our first nations people that continue to enrich our nation. To culminate the week, the school held a ‘Floral Friday’ fundraiser where we raised money for QATSIF’s scholarship programs. This celebration of NAIDOC Week not only educated but also inspired our school community to appreciate and respect the diverse cultures that make up our nation.

Stella Maris Primary School 

Siena Catholic College  

It’s hard to believe that we have already completed two weeks of Term 3 and we are enjoying the beautiful winter weather
… and the new air conditioners, which are now on the warming cycle! We finished our NAIDOC week commemorations with a beautiful staff Australian-themed lunch prepared by our Hospitality Department. Thank you, Chef Nick and your amazing students for creating such a delicious meal. On Monday night, a number of Hospitality students also helped out at Bellflower Retirement Resort, offering their invaluable assistance during their Christmas in July celebration.

Students have been out on excursions this week, with our Year 11 Geography students exploring the local area, our Year 12 Biology students travelling to the University of Queensland for a genetics immersion, while our Year 10s were at Corbould Park participating in the RYDA Driver Awareness Program.

Excitement was certainly in the air on Wednesday, when students and staff from our sister school in Cesena (Italy) arrived. During their time with us, these students will be in classes with their host students and will also have the opportunity to explore South-East Queensland and to visit Sydney. We are certainly looking forward to what is always a valuable cultural exchange and an opportunity to build our language skills and make new friends