Published on: 3 August 2017

This week we have been celebrating NAIDOC Week. The boys have been enthralled, working with Olman Walley in workshops broadening their knowledge of Indigenous Australia and arts. There have also been Noongar words of the day in the bulletin and the NAIDOC poster competition. The Prep boys have also visited the art exhibition in the Old Boys’ Gallery, something I commend to the entire community. My thanks to Rachael Durston for co-ordinating the Prep School NAIDOC activities. I look forward to the Year 1AH NAIDOC assembly tomorrow.

NAIDOC Week is a celebration of the Indigenous culture and people and their significance in Australian history. The boys certainly appreciate finding where they fit in this story. I find our acknowledgement of country so fitting of the past, present and future:

“As we gather here today we acknowledge the Whadjuk Noongar people, the traditional custodians of this land and pay our respects to their elders both past and present. It is on Whadjuk Noongar country, in the surrounds of the beautiful Swan River known as the Derbarl Yerrigan, that boys learnt to become men and leaders of their communities. We carry on this tradition today.”

With winter well entrenched for the time being, I would remind parents to ensure their boys are prepared for the morning chill. I fully understand the boys are the first to avoid jumpers and jackets, however, the mornings are cold and we would want to do all we can to avoid the winter colds. Also, another reminder to name/rename clothes, particularly jumpers, jackets, vests and bumblebees as they are the first to be taken off and forgotten.

Richard Wright
Head of the LW Parry Preparatory School