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CONNECTIONS
CONNECTIONS

STRATEGIC PLANS - CONNECTIONS

A VISION FOR INDIGENOUS
AWARENESS

Hale School’s vision for reconciliation outlined in the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is centred around
three key elements: relationships, respect and opportunities.
The first of these – relationships– aims to foster closer evening, and was so positively received by the audience and
connections and understanding between the School performers alike. Continuing the dance theme, Indigenous
community, staff, students and families. Beyond the boys, under the guidance of Andrew Beck (AISWA), performed
Hale community, the RAP aims to build stronger ties with traditional dances and storytelling to the delight of the Junior
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the School audience.
State as well as with the Whadjuk Noongar people on whose The appointment of Young Haleian, Lawson Humphries
land Hale School resides.
(2017-20) to the new position of Indigenous Student Boarding
The second focuses on building respect for Indigenous Support provides strong cultural and academic support
history and culture in the classroom and the wider Hale for the boys in both boarding houses. Lawson grew up in
community. Wickham, was awarded a Hale School Indigenous Student
Scholarship, and was a School Prefect and Captain of
The third element is opportunity. The RAP provides the
framework for cross-cultural opportunities for Hale students. Faulkner House in Year 12. He is currently a full-time student
These include opportunities in the classroom to learn more at Curtin University studying for an Arts degree majoring in
about Indigenous history and culture; to connect with the Anthropology and Sociology.
wider Indigenous community, and for boys directly involved During NAIDOC Week celebrations, Year 7 students learned
in the Indigenous program to learn about their own culture the story of ‘Wonna’ – journey stick. This was a practical and
and heritage, and to be confident in sharing their personal hands-on experience where boys crafted journey sticks to tell
experiences as they learn to walk in both worlds. the story of their own personal journey through the Outdoor
Education program. In partnership with Goomal Dreaming,
The Indigenous program at Hale School caters for
approximately 25 students at any one time with enrolments Hale School has incorporated these stories into the Year 7,
from local Indigenous communities, the mid-west and 8 and 9 camps. Some of our Indigenous boys were able to
Pilbara regions, and extending to the Kimberley and Torres share their cultural background and stories throughout the
Strait Islands. Each boy and his family receive educational, process.
cultural and individual support as they journey through the A group of Hale Indigenous boys were also invited to Floreat
School. Boys are encouraged to develop an understanding Park Primary School where students from both schools worked
of their own cultural backgrounds and to develop a strong together to design faction shirts acknowledging significant
sense of ‘Duty’, which, as the School Motto, is at the heart of local cultural sites and elements of the natural environment
everything we do. Additional support for Indigenous students significant to the traditional Whadjuk Noongar people.
through close partnerships with external support agencies The inaugural Cape Leveque/One Arm Point cross culture and
like Madalah, Future Footprints and AISWA provide funding, service learning tour is planned for August 2023. Students from
additional mentoring and cultural visits for boys and their Hale School and St Mary’s will have the opportunity to develop
families.
a deeper understanding of contemporary Aboriginal society,
Hale is systematically enacting the goals and initiatives set out Indigenous history and also some of the challenges facing
in the RAP. Here are some of the initiatives undertaken in 2022. Indigenous communities in our remote northwest.
For the first time ever, the Indigenous boys were invited Hale School is proud of the achievements of its Indigenous
to open Hale’s newly named Bunuru Concert (music) – students, both past and present, and remains strongly
particularly appropriate because Bunuru is the season of committed to the Reconciliation Action Plan, supporting our
adolescence. The Maarli Maamans (Black Swan Men) opened boys as they walk in both worlds. Celebrating Indigenous
the concert with a spirit dance with two boys ‘woken up’ culture and heritage enriches the community and helps us all
during this dance. They were accompanied by Indie Oakley to gain a better understanding and acceptance of the culture
(Year 11) on didgeridoo. It was the perfect way to start the and traditions of First Nations people.

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