Paakantji Language and Culture

Paakantji language

Paakantji Language is studied by students from Preschool to Year 10 and led by a team of Aboriginal educators. Paakantji Language is embedded in everyday communication at Wilcannia Central School. This includes class names, verbal instructions, posters and publications.

Learning on country

Students from Preschool to Year 12 are offered a variety of informal and formal opportunities to learn on country. Teachers work closely with Aboriginal educators and the community to plan culturally focused experiences that privilege local Aboriginal culture and knowledge. These experiences strengthen the authenticity of learning about culture as well as make learning across key learning areas more relevant. Some examples of learning on country include:

NAIDOC week activites
Boomerang harvesting
Collecting quandong seeds and fruit
Making 'johnny cakes'
Camping
Paddleboarding on the Baaka (Darling River)
Story sharing
Clean Up Australia Day
Paroo-Darling and Mutawintji National Park

Language and Culture Nest

The Paakantji/Baakantji Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest was launched on the 30 April 2014. The base school for this Nest is Wilcannia Central School.

The Paakantji/Baakantji Aboriginal Language and Culture Nest includes the communities of Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Menindee, Bourke, Mildura and Coomealla.

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Wilcannia Central School

Paakantji Language and Culture