Orange High School students and teachers took a break from the books to celebrate NAIDOC Day this week.
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Although NAIDOC Week, which celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, was in July, the school acknowledged its more than 100 Indigenous students on Thursday.
Principal Chad Bliss said the school values the rich culture and history of its indigenous community.
“We need to instill that culture in our whole school community,” Mr Bliss said.
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Celebrations included a friendly rugby match between the school’s Indigenous students and Canobolas High School’s indigenous boys, which make up the Canobolas Clontarf Academy.
Parents and friends of the school took part in cooking workshops with students and local, non-government groups set up stalls for the day.
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service’s Jamie Newman visited the student’s to speak at the school’s assembly.
Mr Bliss said the health service’s chief executive officer was asked to address the students because he is a senior Aboriginal figure in Orange.
“He offers a lot to OMS and to everyone in the Orange community,” he said.
“His story is of a strong and proud history and we were lucky to have him share his knowledge and culture with our students.”
Mr Bliss acknowledged that Orange High School is and always will be on Indigenous land.