South Hedland Primary School Sacred Yarning Circle opens

The unveiling of South Hedland Primary School’s Yarning Circle beautifully symbolised the school’s deep respect for Indigenous culture and its students. Principal Lee Pereira said the project was fuelled by the desire to “show the value we hold for Aboriginal culture and honour our 60 per cent First Nations school population.” The project has been a two-year collaborative effort between students, teachers and staff at South Hedland Primary School, various other organisations and the Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation. AAC played a pivotal role in the construction of the circle, through working closely with staff and students to create the stunning artwork on the pavers surrounding the circle. The opening ceremony on May 17 united the school community as well as Indigenous elders who were delighted to absorb the students’ creation and acknowledge the societal significance of the physical space. A Kariyarra elder expressed that “The Yarning Circle unites us as a family. We all come from different lands, but here we can share the stories from our land and be as one”. Ms Pereira echoed the elder’s sentiments and said the circle would offer students a place of discussion and collaboration that transcends the typical classroom environment. “The yarning circle is there for students and teachers to yarn and discuss things in a way that is different to the formal classroom setting,” she said. “We really want to make it a focus of what our school represents, not just as a token, but something we use often for learning and for celebrations.”