Four Concentric Circles

Michelle Favero, Manager, Marketing and Communications

A journey of celebration and discovery

On Wednesday, we welcomed three special guests to school to take our Primary students on a journey of discovery. Brian, Hayley and Gabby, three Aboriginal Educators from Wandana, spent the day with us, sharing their traditions and knowledge, culminating in each child making their mark on a special dot painting, developed to celebrate the School’s 40^th Anniversary.

Let’s Acknowledge Country

The day began with K-6 prayers and a moving Acknowledgement to Country, sung by the Years 1 and 2 students. Our visitors were deeply moved by this melodic expression of respect and care to Indigenous Elders – past and present – as well as the land on which the students play and learn.

Let’s sing a little song Acknowledging the People, The Traditional People of this land. Reach high and touch the sky, stretch low to touch the ground, the ground that we play on. Put our hands on our hearts, and say thank you to our Elders Past, Present and Future. Our Years 1 and 2 Acknowledgement to Country song

Hayley explained how traditional ochre is used, it’s connection to Country and painted staff members’ faces, representing either mountains or waterways. Later in the day, the students were offered the same gift.

The first period of the day culminated in a sacred sweeping ceremony where adult volunteers were swept down with gum leaves to cleanse the body and mind, bringing about only good energy for the day.

Each Year Group was able to spend time with our Aboriginal friends, learning about Indigenous artefacts, which fascinated the students and brought about many interesting and insightful questions.

Dot by dot, weaving together the threads

The highlight of the day was the opportunity to contribute to the creation of the collective dot painting. Brushstroke by brushstroke, a vivid tapestry emerged, weaving together the threads of our School’s past, its values, sense of community and the vibrant spirit of our students.

The mural, which will hang on the wall of the new B’Yachad Building, is a physical reminder of our collective past, present and future.

Deep connection to community

The modern, contemporary Aboriginal painting pays homage to the local Gadigal Aboriginal people of the Eora Nation and the rich history of our School. It represents the deep connection to land, sea and the sky of the local Aboriginal people.

At the centre of the painting are four maroon concentric circles which represent a meeting place of the local Aboriginal people as well as the school community. Included on the canvas are animal totems – a favourite being the whale which we see so often on their migration journey across our coastline. Various traditional items and Indigenous plants can be found scattered along the land, with the sea and sky contrasting beautifully.

The 40 brightly coloured concentric circles represent our School Community which has grown over the past years and celebrates the 40^th milestone of the School. Along the waterways one can see the elongated shell middens that were collection points for used shell materials by the local Aboriginal people. We have included 18 lines in each of these middens, representing the Hebrew word Chai/Life.

Our Principal, Andrew Watt, and Head of Primary, Tany Milner, placed their handprints on the bottom left of the painting, representing their connection, care and guidance over the entire Emanuel School community.

Thank you – Todah Rabah

Deep gratitude to the P&F who generously donated the painting to the School community in honour of our special anniversary.

Please enjoy these photos which reflect a meaningful and uplifting day or learning and gratitude as well as this quick time-lapse showing the painters in action.