Our Year 4 students had the opportunity to visit Kings Park and participate in a Noongar Boodja Six Seasons excursion. The Six Seasons program aligned with our Year 4 Hass and Science curriculums, focusing on Aboriginal Indigenous culture and environmental sustainability.

Did you know that the Djeran Season (April – May) is a time of cooler weather signified by red flowers, such as the red flowering gums and summer flames? These are some of the flowers we saw while geocaching in the Naturescape area. We also got to navigate our way through Naturescape using a map to decode Noongar symbols.

Next, students and adult helpers joined the Wadumbha Aboriginal Dance Group in learning about traditional dance, watching and joining in an interactive traditional storytelling performance, and creating their own animal moves with the Moorditj (solid) Noongar dancers.

Traditionally, foods at this time of year included freshwater fish, frogs and turtles. Our Year 4 students participated in a Kep Katitjin (Water knowledge) hands-on workshop where we learned about our local wetlands, freshwater plants and sustainable fishing sustainability practices needed to maintain our healthy bilya (rivers).

We ended our visit with nature play, including rope climbing and building Mia mias. Traditionally, Mia mias (shelters) were repaired and made waterproof in readiness for the cold wintery months ahead.

Overall, we had a fantastic excursion and learnt a lot about Aboriginal Indigenous culture and sustainability.

Alison Jamison and Anka Chikich

Year 4 Teachers