Dear Friends of the IGS Indigenous Scholarship Program

As we celebrate our 35th anniversary and our motto, Unity Through Diversity, we were thrilled to begin an exciting year of Indigenous engagement at IGS with a smoking ceremony from Uncle Jimmy and an informative talk to all our staff by IGS parent and Aboriginal Employment Strategy CEO Kristy Masella, sharing insights about how to celebrate our cultural diversity and how best to support our Indigenous scholars.

IGS has many clubs. Koori Club was created and named by our Indigenous Scholars and other Indigenous students at IGS. It provides an opportunity each term for our students from Kindy to Year 12 to come together and share their experiences and learn more about Aboriginal histories and cultures.Towards the end of Semester 1, Koori Club had a visit by two of our Scholarship Program Ambassadors: Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO and NITV presenter Natalie Ahmat. The students were so excited to welcome their special guests and a great time was had by all. We're very grateful that our ambassadors make time in their busy lives to visit IGS. It's a wonderful part of our program that the students particularly treasure.

IGS Head Girl 2018 Mi-Kaisha Masella was recently named the 2019 National NAIDOC Youth of the Year! Mi-Kaisha's star continues to rise and we couldn't be more thrilled for her and for her family. She is an inspirational young woman and we will continue to follow her and all of our Indigenous Scholars' exciting adventures.

Thank you again for your continued support of IGS and of the School's unique Indigenous Scholarship Program.

Yours sincerely

Shauna Colnan
Principal

Mi-Kaisha 2019 National NAIDOC Youth of the Year

Congratulations to talented IGS Head Girl 2018 Mi-Kaisha Masella, who was recently named the 2019 National NAIDOC Youth of the Year.
The former IGS Indigenous Scholar accepted the award in Canberra, which recognises the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In addition, Mi-Kaisha was commissioned to compose and perform a short harp piece as part of the opening of the awards.

Wiradjuri words sung in Early Learning

Early Learning students celebrated National Reconciliation Week with a special visit from the School’s Aboriginal Studies teacher, Jade Carr. Jade taught some of the School’s youngest learners how to sing Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, in the language of the Indigenous Wiradjuri nation of Central NSW.

Aboriginal Studies sparks fresh perspectives

IGS Aboriginal Studies major works sparked deep conversations at an exhibition, as students explored the diverse topics represented. Students raised fresh perspectives on our National Anthem and Australia Day, preserving “lost” languages, suicide statistics, Aboriginal people and the criminal justice system and more.

Indigenous Ambassadors visit Koori Club

We would like to thank the School’s Indigenous Scholarship Program Ambassadors, Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO and NITV presenter Natalie Ahmat, for making a special visit to the Koori Club in June.