This Week in Humanities & Social Sciences
As part of an enriching cross-age learning experience, Mr. Reading and Miss Docherty’s Year 8 Aboriginal Culture and Language classes shared their knowledge of the Nyungar language with younger students at Nulsen and Esperance Primary Schools.
Across this year, students have been learning Kepa Kurl Nyungar using the 50 Word Project (50words.online), language resources from Esperance Tjaktjraak, and the text Noongar Doodja Waangkan: Noongar First Words by Jayden Boundary and Tyrown Waigana. Students applied their knowledge of language to create engaging picture books that introduced basic Nyungar vocabulary and phrases to younger children for example – The koolbardi has koojal djenas (The magpie has two feet).
The books that were created by the students colourful and engaging and full of learning opportunities. Having the students read and interact with younger students developed the student’s confidence with speaking, as well as their leadership and resilience. Miss Docherty’s students participated in counting, colouring in and reading activities. This experience not only allowed Year 8 students to reflect on their own growth but also fostered a sense of responsibility and pride as they passed on cultural knowledge to the next generation.
We would like to thank Mrs Dornan, Ms Williams & Ms Ardagh at Nulsen Primary, and Mrs Docherty & Mrs Palmer at Esperance Primary for the opportunity engaging with their classes. We hope to continue fostering these connections across different year groups, ensuring that cultural knowledge and language learning remain a vital part of our students’ education.
