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Around The College
Focus Week
Aroona Focus Week
In Week 3 of Term 2 Aroona once again ran their Focus Week theme of ‘Challenge for Change.’ This was the third year whereby Home Groups took on a task that was out of their comfort zone while donating small change. It was fantastic to see all the amazing challenges being completed throughout the week. Some of our favourites include:
• Making and delivering fairy bread to ALL 48 Home Groups (NA2S) • Creating acrostic poems for different staff members (AR1S) • Cooking breakfast (pancakes) for all the Home Groups in
Lower Paideia (MO6M) • Creating a rap song about ‘Challenge for Change’ (MO3S) • Preparing afternoon tea for the Pastoral Care Team (Ms
Bovingdon & Mr McDonald) • Collecting canned food to donate to an outreach centre (NA3M, NA4M & NA5M) The “Home Group who challenged themselves the most” will be announced at assembly in Week 6, winning themselves a cooked breakfast.
On Friday, students and staff enjoyed ‘letting their hair down’ with a Non-Uniform Day and mini-challenges in Cibo Plaza at lunch. Students and staff enjoyed hot chips, racing each other stacking cups and many tried their hat at the annual planking challenge. Congratulations Sachin Bonnici (Year 9) and Chloe Foster (Year 7) who broke last year’s plank record (previously 7:03) with scores of 12:02 and 11:00, respectively. Well done to Hamish Edwards (Year 9) for winning the handball competition and Sophie Matthews (Year 8) for winning the cup stacking challenge. A big thank you to everyone who participated in the great success of our Aroona Focus Week.
Mrs Ashleigh Butler-Bowdon and Mr Caleb Blesing Aroona House Leaders
Community Mural Project
Painting Day 1 Thursday, May 5
Painting of the Community Reconciliation Mural finally kicked off at the Summit Sports Park! Students braved the rain and cold to begin painting the mural that they helped to design in Term 1 with Aboriginal artist David Booth. The students used sponges to create a beautiful, textured background with guidance from David. This was one of two sessions and in the up coming weeks the students will start work on painting symbols and stories on the wall. We would once again like to thank David for his care and effort with mentoring the students with this project. We would also like to thank Peter McGinn from the Mount Barker Council and Scott Filmer from the Mount Barker Football Club for their ongoing support and involvement in this project. Milika Filmer (Year 11)
Painting Day 2 Friday, May 13
It was with much anticipation that the students visited the Summit Sports Park for the second painting day of the Reconciliation Mural. Artist David Booth had painted in black outlines of some of the symbols that would be added to the background, which was sponge painted the previous week. Students were taught the safe and correct way to use spray cans and once masked up got to work. Some of the students were nervous and a steady hand was required but David gave the students the confidence to have a go. After visits from journalists from The Herald and The Courier the students had a chance to sit back and admire their work. David not only shared his amazing artistic skills with the students but also shared some of his family story and the meaning and importance of reconciliation. The students in the second group were also privileged to have David play his yidaki (didgeridoo). It has been a real blessing for our students and teachers to work with David during this project. His warmth, skills and genuine desire to make connections with members of our community has made this a memorable experience for all involved. We would love our wider community to join us at the Mt Barker Community Reconciliation Day & Indigenous Round on May 28, where the Mural will be officially unveiled. Leanne Filmer Teacher
Program of events
11.30am Come together & welcome at the Laratinga Wetlands BBQ Area 12.00pm Community reconciliation walk to The Summit Sports Park
1.00pm Unveiling of Community Reconciliation Mural Project in rooms 1.00 – 1.40pm Artwork viewing 2.30pm Welcome and smoking ceremony 2.50pm Mt Barker vs Blackwood A Grade Football Match 3.00 – 3.30pm Artwork viewing The indigenous round of football between Mt Barker Football Club and Blackwood Football Club is a day of community football to highlight reconciliation and inclusivity in the broader community.
