By Marcus Uhe
The Mossgiel Park Primary School community in Endeavour Hills has recognised the 150th year of public education through a variety of activities as part of Education Week, from 22 to 28 May.
On Thursday 26 May the staff and students were encouraged to dress in the style of past, present and future outfits of their respective cohorts.
At the Monday morning assembly on 30 May, school captains Elena Bokan and Mila Gagic interviewed retired teacher and current volunteer at Mossgiel Park, Judy Fricke, about her experiences as both a student and a teacher.
She reminisced about growing up at Moorabbin Primary School and McKinnon Secondary College before entering the workforce as a teacher at Fitzroy North Primary School in 1961.
“There were no computers, no mobile phones, no laptops back then,” Ms Fricke said.
“It was just books. It was good, just books. Lots of books.”
Principal Lynn Ordish said Ms Fricke’s contributions meant the world to the school community.
“Her knowledge and experience with helping the students with their reading is invaluable,” Ms Ordish said.
“The fact that she volunteers too, it just helps us financially. We’re getting such a valuable teacher without having to finance it.
“Having her as a presence in the school is lovely and the kids really respect her.”
Teachers were also encouraged to bring a school photo of themselves to allow the students to test their detective skills and work out which photo belonged to which member of staff.
Judging by the shocked reactions at the assembly when the answers were revealed, investigations may need more of a focus in the school’s curriculum.
Monday’s gathering was also a chance for the students to present to their peers their reflections on what they have learnt about Aboriginal culture and the history of Indigenous Australians as part of Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), which overlapped with Education Week festivities.
Their strong, emotive language regarding white settlement and the treatment of the Stolen Generation was borne from the school’s influence and the theme of the week, Be Brave. Make Change.
“We’re pretty big on Indigenous education in the curriculum, we really push it a lot, Ms Ordish said.
“That’s why they’ve got that language.
“We only have two students in the school that are Indigenous but I think because of the multiculturalism in the school, we see Indigenous as being all different cultures.
“It’s all about the importance of inclusiveness and celebrating different cultures.”
