01 Sep 2023
A new outdoor learning and cultural space for the use of the whole Morisset community is one step closer to becoming a reality, thanks to a generous $50,000 donation from the Eraring Community Investment Fund.
The Itji-Marru Outdoor Learning and Culture Space will be built at the back of the Morisset High School Itji-Marru Aboriginal Education Resource Centre, and near the school’s Malangba inclusive education unit. The space will be used by all Morisset High School students and will be designed to be an inclusive space, with ramps to ease access for the elderly or disabled students or community members.
There are limited sheltered, outdoor, and appropriately designed learning spaces at Morisset High School. The Itji-Marru Outdoor Learning and Culture Space will help meet the need for new learning spaces at the school, as well as provide a safe space for students to learn outside the four walls of the classroom, said Morisset High School Principal, Darren Brailey.
“COVID showed us that we need to think differently about the learning spaces that we provide for our kids so that their learning can continue whatever the situation arises,” Mr Brailey said.
“Inclusive learning and culturally sensitive learning is at the heart of the way we teach our kids at Morisset High School, so we must have spaces where our students with additional needs can be outside their normal classroom environment, to help with their emotional regulation and to connect with their friends and teachers.
“We have also recently started teaching Awabakal as part of the Language Other Than English lessons for Year 8 and our Morisset High School Big Picture Academy students, so this space will make a great classroom for these lessons and will be a great space for our students to meet and hang out outside of class.
“We know that when kids feel a sense of connection, they are more likely to do well at school and develop the skills they need to succeed in life after school. Almost a quarter of our students are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.
“Itji-Marru is an essential hub for students to connect with our Elders Aunty Selena and Aunty Cecilia and is a special space where we hope to pass on a love of learning and share Indigenous culture and knowledge not only with Morisset High students, but with the whole learning community.
“We can’t wait to have the space used for our learning community events and organise for community groups to use the space outside of school hours.”
The Itji-Marru Outdoor Learning and Culture Space will be designed in close consultation with the school’s Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and the Itji-Marru Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), to ensure that it is appropriate for use by people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
“Itji-Marru has a proud history of being a meeting place, where people come together to celebrate their culture and connect with their heritage and learn more about themselves,” said President of the Itji-Marru AECG, Steven Adams.
“There is a need for more safe spaces in the Morisset area where we can all come together to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and connect as one community to promote reconciliation and aspiration for learning for all students.
“In the past, we’ve run homework clubs and after-school activities at Itji-Marru for our kids, and with this space, we’re hoping to restart these programs, and have the space to offer them to more kids.”
To find out more about the Eraring Community Investment Fund, visit the Origin Energy website or click on the link below.