Plenty Valley Montessori School
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Cultural Exchange
Gallery > Indigenous Education
Plenty Valley Montessori School acknowledges the historical journey of the Australian Indigenous People. In June 2004, the school community held an Aboriginal Flag Raising Ceremony. This ceremony was an outward sign of the school's commitment to learn from the Aboriginal People in order to advance historic and contemporary cultural education. Our aim is to form broader understanding that will evolve and grow through the children at Plenty Valley Montessori School - part of the next generation of Australians.
The Flag Raising and Dot Peters Visit
Recently we were honored to welcome Auntie Dot Peters who is a very respected elder of the Healesville Community. Auntie Dot is the recipient of many awards including the prestigious Red Ochre Award in 2002, presented annually to Indigenous Australian Artists who have made an outstanding contribution to the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island arts and culture. She has also been awarded the Victorian Aboriginal Women's award in 2002 and a number of awards from local organisations including the NAIDOC Elders Award.
The School Choir provided entertainment and the Third Cycle children who had previously composed writing pieces for Reconciliation Week read these to Auntie Dot and the whole School Community on this special occasion. After the Flag Raising Ceremony, Auntie Dot generously offered the children and staff her time, cultural knowledge, cultural skills and considerable sense of humor!
The First and Second Cycle children were entranced by Aunty Dot's Dreamtime Stories, whilst the Third Cycle children listened to her vision for peace and harmony for all Australian people. The older children also had the opportunity to learn the art of weaving flax leaves to make friendship bracelets. Aunty Dot originally learnt the traditional craft of sword grass weaving from her grandmother and generously introduced this skill to our children. While Aunty Dot worked with the children she talked about her life and answered many questions.
A circle of friendship.
The children learnt how to weave Friendship Bracelets.
A great deal of concentration was needed to learn this new skill.
The children were inspired and worked hard to complete their weaving.
Auntie Dot shares her considerable skills.
Dianne (our Principal) joined in the fun.
The children used natural materials to create beautiful weaving.
The children loved their friendship bracelets.
The PVMS Choir performed for Auntie Dot and the School Community.
Aunty Dot entranced the younger children with her Dreamtime Stories.
What a great result!
The children really enjoyed the art of weaving.
The children asked lots of questions.
Auntie Dot captured the children's imagination!
The Second Cycle children listened with great interest.