Aboriginal Education

Yaegl Maclean Community Site

Click on the image to visit the Maclean Yaegl Community Site

River of Learning 10th Anniversary 2019

Ten Years of Learning and Inclusivity at Maclean High School 2019

Uncle Ron speaking to students at the River of Learning celebrations 2019. Click on the image to watch the full video.

The tenth River of Learning Celebration Day was held at Maclean High School on Wednesday 29^th May. Student’s art works were displayed at the Yamba Museum featuring the ‘River to the Sea’ theme.

Ten Years of Learning and Inclusivity at Maclean High School 2019

Ten Years of Learning and Inclusivity at Maclean High School 2019

A smoking ceremony was conducted by Uncle Ron and Sam Kapeen

Image: Our Aboriginal dancers performed a cleansing dance.

Each faculty developed displays that contained the Yaegl perspective.

Image: The music group sang the chorus line to ‘I am Australian’ in Yaygirr language which was particularly breath-taking.

Image: Official guests enjoyed a luncheon catered for by Year 11 Hospitality students featuring some local Indigenous cuisine.

Elders acompanied students on Cultural Tours in Term 1

Image: Tremendous role models for all our students.

Special thanks to Rhonda Pitson, previous Deputy Principal at Maclean High School, whose inspirational idea has become the River of Learning Celebration Day.

Such an event would not be possible without the hard work of many people over several weeks to get things running smoothly. Firstly, a thank you to the Elders: Uncle Ron, Aunty Glenda, Aunty Rosie and Aunty Beris who accompanied the students on the Cultural Tours in Term 1. The school would like to thank Dee- Anne Kapeen and Dean Loadsman for working with the students and to the Yamba Historical Society for setting up the exhibition and collating all the artwork. Special thanks to Rhonda Pitson, previous Deputy Principal at Maclean High School, whose inspirational idea has become the River of Learning Celebration Day.

Lastly, such an event would not have been possible without the enormous effort, drive and commitment shown by our Aboriginal Education workers, who led and co-ordinated all the projects on the day such as dance, music, language, art, consultancy and logistics. They have also encouraged and inspired our students to ‘get out there and celebrate their culture’.  A big thank you to Sam Kapeen, Anjanette Warburton, Krystal Randall and Deborah Breckenridge. They are such tremendous role models for all our students.

Liza Hamilton
Deputy Principal Instructional Leader Aboriginal Students.