Learning Stone

To connect to the wider community, the school agreed to take part in an indigenous program that was an initiative of John Murray the Koorie Engagement Support Officer. John worked with the school to develop an outside learning centre. The project involved past and present students in creating a visible link to the traditional land owners of the area by developing an area in the school grounds where individuals or groups can use for educational and social activities. The focus point of this area is a stone which was sourced within the shire and was relocated to the school after a traditional smoking ceremony. Once completed the school held an opening ceremony inviting community members and community groups to celebrate the connections that the project represents. More information about the project can be found here.

3 students from a nearby Secondary came to the school for a week to work on the project. The three students worked on developing a design and made a plan before getting stuck into the manual labour.

The students were supervised by a teacher that was released from their teaching responsibilities for the week. As the students worked on clearing the site the teacher developed a lesson that could be taught in each of the school's classes relating to rather idea of using a space to connect to each other. This included painting totem (story) poles and developing their own personal identity design. Unfortunately a series of events occurred which prevented the project from being completed as expected.

While digging holes for the seven totem poles a pipe was hit that wasn't on the school plans. This stopped the project for 3/4 of a day. The following two days were intermittent due to the rain but due to the dedicated efforts of the three students the totem poles and the seat poles were installed and the gravel was delivered.

The project was finally finished in time for the grand opening on the 30th of November 2012. It was a great morning. John Murray began with an acknowledgment to country and officially opened the garden. special guests from the local council and other groups were treated to a song that was sung by the children. All attendees participated in the smoking ceremony at the conclusion of the opening.

The installation of this learning space adjacent to the schools vegetable garden is bright and relaxing addition to our school. It's a place for students to come and sit in the warm sun and to chat with their friends. It will also be used during the gardening sessions that the students participate in.