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 Ms Paris Tsiorvas, ATSI co-ordinator Ms Helen Breen and the ATSI team, the students are mentored in several ways:
- ‘Yarn Up’ roll call is held every Wednesday 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, Ms Breen and Ms Tsiorvas, to develop PLP's (Personal Learning Plans) at the beginning of Term 1 each year.
- ‘ATSI Heritage Day’ is an incursion organised at Cronulla High School, which provides our students with the opportunity to make connections with their culture, history and members of the Aboriginal community.
- The students participate in external workshops 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.
We look forward to hearing about the great things our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will achieve in the future.
2019 Events
ATSI Heritage Day – Term 1, Week 5
20 of our Indigenous students participated in ATSI Heritage Day. Well respected Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Deanna Schreiber, presented a workshop using a range of Aboriginal artefacts to inform students of their heritage and culture. The second half of the day was spent learning about traditional and contemporary aboriginal art, where students created their own, individual Aboriginal art work. Student artworks were displayed in the school library and in classrooms to share with the wider school community. The day was extremely appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed by all participating students.
National Reconciliation Week – Term 2 Week 5
Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. During the week, all Year 7 students were educated on the experiences of the Stolen Generations through engaging resources and discussion in their history classes. Following these lessons, students were given the time to create posters about the importance of understanding the Stolen Generations and the value of Sorry Day. The Year 7 Humanitarian Team displayed these posters around the school to raise awareness among all pupils in the school. Additionally, Sophia Papadatos and Jasper McKinnon presented a speech on assembly educating all students of the importance of Reconciliation Week and Mr Ibrahim awarded the top 5 posters of the year group. This task reminded students that reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
ATSI SHOW Camp
On Tuesday 28th - Wednesday 29th of May 2019, 14 of Cronulla High School’s ATSI students from Year 7-12, attended an Aboriginal SHOW camp hosted by the AECG, held at YMCA camp Yarramundi. The camp was a rewarding and enjoyable experience with a range of activities based around sport, heath, confidence, opportunities and well-being. Students conducted mock interviews with one of Sydney Thunders Indigenous players, learnt about health and Indigenous art with Rheanna Lotter, and participated in Sydney Thunders cricket gala day. Our students made valuable connections with the 100 participating students from schools around NSW and look forward to participating in future AECG camps.
