We are committed to valuing and acknowledging the cultural identity of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Cronulla High School. We encourage our Aboriginal students to embrace their heritage and provide them with unique leadership opportunities both through internal support networks and external excursions and programs.
We also welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and community members to our school through incursions and in developing each students’ Personal Learning Plan, so that we can effectively support our students, learn about the local Aboriginal community and develop shared goals.
CHS values the contribution that our Indigenous students make to our school. Under the guidance of the Head Teacher Secondary Studies (Rel.) Ms Belinda Ward, the students are mentored in several ways:
- ‘Yarn Up’ roll call is held every Tuesday A week, where opportunities and information are provided to our Aboriginal students; which will help them reach their full potential and explore the rich tapestry of their culture.
- Interviews are conducted with individual students, their parents, year advisor and Ms Ward, to develop PLP's (Personal Learning Plans) at the beginning of Term 1 each year.
- Incursions and mentoring groups with local community organisations including Kurranulla and the Cronulla Sharks Deadly Choices Program, which provides our students with the opportunity to make connections with their culture and members of the Aboriginal community.
- The students participate in external workshops, excursions and camps which strengthen their leadership skills and offer them potential career opportunities.
- The group develops leadership skills through acknowledging days of national significance with the school population, including Apology Day, National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Day.
Student Mural
Aboriginal Elder Aunty Deanna Schreiber visited Cronulla High School to assist our students in their creation of a contemporary Aboriginal artwork. This student creation respects the traditional owners of this land, the Gweagal People of the Dharawal Nation. It represents the saltwater people and their culture, and incorporates flora, fauna and campsites found within the Sutherland Shire. Our students had a wonderful time learning more about Dharawal culture and identity and engaging with Aunty Deanna.
Aboriginal Flag
Every Monday, as the Australian National Anthem is played, Cronulla High School faces the flags to watch and admire the Australian National Flag, the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag being raised in unison. Our Year 12 cohort of 2019 recognised the importance of flying all 3 flags and as a result decided to make their gift to the school a new flag pole. Thank you to Year 12 for their thoughtful, departing gift to the school.
Cassandra Calvert and Max Johnston proudly introduced Mr Bruce Howell, a well-respected member of the Aboriginal and Cronulla High School community, to the stage, to speak to our students on the significance of flying all 3 flags at Cronulla High School. “This is a gift that will live on for many decades to come, and it’s a gift that tells a story – the story is about acknowledgement.” The words of Mr Howell enlightened Cronulla High students on the symbolism of the flags being displayed at our school. “The Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Islander flag, at the base of the triangle, represent the foundation of our country; what already existed prior to the arrival of the various European groups, and continues to exist. The Australian National Flag represents the nation that we have today, a mixture of people from all over the world, but still with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as its foundation.” Thank you Mr Howell for taking the time to share your understanding on the power of acknowledgement