Chevallum State School is deeply grateful to learn, work and play on Gubbi Gubbi country.
Our relationship to this country extends throughout our school and across all curriculum areas. Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures in curriculum planning development and evaluation processes is a key and ongoing consideration across all year levels.
ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS
- Aunty Bridgette Chilli Davis – Chevallum State School’s Traditional Owner Elder in Residence.
- Employment of Community Education Counsellor (Identified permanent position)
- Indigenous Outdoor Classroom – formally opened with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country by our School Elder, Aunty Bridgette. Artwork by Uncle Arthur Conlon (Wakka Wakka/Killila)
- Indigenous Student Leaders selected and investitured annually.
- Significant date commemorations – NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Week, National Sorry Day, Mabo Day, National Apology Anniversary.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performances for the student body.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sports and games.
- School wide art installations.
- Ongoing Indigenous Education Professional Development for staff.
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM OPENED WITH WELCOME TO COUNTRY AND SMOKING
CEREMONY As part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations in 2025, we had the privilege of welcoming Auntie Bridgette Chilli Davis to lead our school in a powerful and moving Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony (Jhdungah) to open the Outdoor Classroom. It was particularly special, as she shared it was the first ceremony of its kind, she’s been aware of at our school in over 50 years—a truly significant milestone in our journey of understanding, acknowledging, and celebrating NAIDOC Week and indigenous culture.
This is particularly special as a Smoking Ceremony (Jhdungah) is one of the oldest ceremonies in the world that is still being practiced. Auntie Bridgette is a Gubbi Gubbi Elder who came to Welcome us to her Country and performed this sacred ceremony. What an amazing way to celebrate NAIDOC Week it was.
A heartfelt thank you to Auntie Bridgette for sharing her cultural knowledge with our school community and to Dani Jones and her incredible team for coordinating this historic and deeply meaningful event. It was an honour for all who attended to witness and be part of such an important moment in our school’s story.
This Outdoor Classroom is a space recently upgraded with help of Super Darren the Groundsman and Arthur Conlon (Wakka Wakka/ Kulilla artist). It is now a space that classes can book and use to their hearts content! The concrete slab has been turned into a mural/handball court for breaktime games. It's going to be such a useable and lovely space that I'm excited to share with you all.