Last month MADALAH began to visit each of our 23 partner schools to deliver our orientation sessions for 2022.
The MADALAH Team visited St Brigid’s College, Trinity College, Hale School, St Hilda’s Anglican, Aquinas College, Mercedes College, Perth College, Prendiville Catholic College, SEDA College and Christ Church Grammar School for our first ever series of individual school orientations. This was due to us having to cancel our annual Orientation Day because of COVID-19 restrictions and our priority was and is to keep students, families and staff safe during this time. Where we weren’t able to facilitate in person sessions on school grounds, MADALAH staff engaged students in a meaningful orientation through online platforms 🌟
The individual orientations were a great success and gave MADALAH the opportunity to connect with our students and also allowed them to open up about their stories, cultural identity, heritage and the journey that they were on. The students all participated in yarning circles to discuss their holidays and start to the new year. They also completed a wide range of fun activities, including UNO, an Indigenous game called Buroinjin and connecting over art by designing canvas paintings with posca pens. Buroinjin is a traditional Aboriginal game from the Kabi Kabi people of South Queensland and it was a big hit with our students.
Students also had the opportunity to look at the Indigenous Language Map and identify where they were from, leading to amazing discussions about cultural identity and heritage. This also showed students that they are often connected to the same place.
At the end of each orientation session, students were handed a MADALAH pack full of goodies, the packs included items such as a stress ball, journal, hat, t-shirt and pen. Year 12’s also received a Year 13 Checklist so that we can begin to help them prepare for life after secondary school.
A highlight of our visits was the opportunity we had to also attend the Opening Smoking Ceremony at Trinity College. Aunty Marie Kirby performed the ceremony by the river which was a beautiful setting for all in attendance.
Hearing the students talk about the support MADALAH provides along with the opportunities the students are presented with at each of the sessions was incredible! We look forward to facilitating more orientation sessions at our other partner schools throughout the month of March 🌟
