Students to learn Wiradjuri culture – Traditional language to be taught in school

The Aboriginal Wiradjuri language will soon be taught to students of the Dubbo College junior campuses in an attempt to strengthen communication, education and culture.

Dubbo education professionals and members of the Dubbo Aboriginal community gathered yesterday to plan the introduction of the Wiradjuri lessons and are relying on community engagement with the program for its success.

Principal of Dubbo College Senior Campus Phil Halpin said the language would be taught to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

“We didn’t make the decision to introduce the language because it is the latest fad,” Mr Halpin said.

“We are doing it because we think it is worthwhile for the students.”

Mr Halpin said that there is substantial research that indicated the more engaged Indigenous and non-Indigenous students became with their language and culture of the land, the more respect they had for their community and education.

The reason for yesterday’s meeting was to talk and listen to a cross-section of the Indigenous community so the program could be set up in such a way that those people felt ownership.

Aboriginal Education Consultative Group chair, Patricia Doolan PSM, said she was excited by the program.

“It is absolutely needed,” Ms Doolan said.

“Aboriginal students will now have the chance to identify with their own language and identity.

“However, if we don’t get the community engaged with the program it won’t happen.”

Aboriginal education consultant for the western region, Tyson Yunkaporta, is in charge of implementing the language into the curriculum.

“We are going to make the curriculum fit the culture and not the other way around,” Mr Yunkaporta said.

“We have found backward mapping to be the most successful way of implementing the language and culture into the curriculum.”

According to a Dubbo College spokesperson, the introduction of Aboriginal language into Dubbo schools is planned for term three this year.