As part of the Alternative Learning Programme (ALP), Year 8 students experienced a term-long unit on ‘intercultural understanding’ with a focus on local First Nations.

Students particularly enjoyed the ‘Living Books’ event, where they interacted and connected with guest speakers, who relayed stories of their experiences and culture.

Jazmine Crampton, a participating student from Tumut High School wrote of the event:

We welcomed Uncle Pat Connolly, Aunty Winnie Bulger, Aunty Sue Bulger, Trish Whitburn and Jess Bulger as our living books. The guest speakers told us stories, showed their artworks and inspired us to celebrate and be proud of our cultures. We learnt a lot from the ‘Living Books’. The students parted into small groups and experienced two sessions. I participated in the sessions with Uncle Pat and Aunty Sue.

Uncle Pat’s session was about discovering your importance and to be proud of who you are and your background. He connected us with the land and each other. He left the students feeling confident and inspired. Aunty Sue’s session included explanations of particular artworks and telling personal experiences and stories about what it was like growing up as an Indigenous child. She is a great role model for all children that you should go after your dreams and be your own person.

Year 8 of 2022 would like to thank all the guest speakers who came in and shared with us their knowledge and stories, and our teachers who organised the sessions and groups so that we could enjoy this wonderful experience. Everyone should be able to experience what we did.

Mundungu

(Thank you in Wiradjuri language)

Trish Whitburn shared her artworks with the groups and led fun, interactive activities combining cultural education and self-reflection.

Students left with an enhanced understanding of First Nations culture and were inspired to follow their interests and passions.

Aunty Winnie Bulger explained how she had limited experiences of some traditional cultural practices growing up, but now she is proudly reclaiming her cultural connections and re-learning the Wiradjuri language.

Jess Bulger shared stories of her experiences with cultural bias when moving from Tumut, where her First Nations heritage was well-known, to cities where it was not. She invited open and honest discussion of stereotypes, asking students questions and giving honest answers when students asked her opinion on challenging topics.