THREE former principals were among the dozens of guests who helped to celebrate 25 years of the Itji-Marru Aboriginal Resource Centre, at Morisset High School, on Friday.
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Itji-Marru, which in the Awabakal language means ‘to teach everyone’, was established in 1992.
It was set up in the former headmaster’s residence of what was once the grounds of Morisset Pubic School.
The purpose of the building was to provide a focus on Aboriginal education for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students, staff, parents and the wider community.
For the past 18 years, Itji-Marru has been overseen by the school’s Aboriginal education officer, Selena Archibald.
Mrs Archibald said her approach to teaching students about Aboriginal culture had been guided by a steadfast philosophy.
“I grew up in a period when it wasn’t so significant for Aboriginal kids to have an education, and a lot of ours were segregated,” she said.
“But I have turned a lot of my negatives into positives, to help the kids of today. That’s been my philosophy all of the way through.”
In her 18 years at the school, Ms Archibald said she had worked with more than 400 Aboriginal children, and many more non-Aboriginal students.
“I go into bat for the kids. I’m there to support them if they get into trouble, and I’m there to support them with their literacy and numeracy.”
She said the anniversary of Itji-Marru had reunited her with many former students, and reminded her of the importance of the centre’s work.
“I’ve had a number of my former students go on to become teachers,” she said.
“And some others have gone on to have really good jobs [in other occupations]. And they still come and visit me.”
Mrs Archibald said the centre lived up to its name, providing a valuable learning environment for non-Aboriginal students, as well.
“I have the same sort of relationship with the non-Aboriginal kids,” she said.
“I very rarely get called Mrs Archibald. I’m either called ‘Mum’ or ‘Auntie’ or ‘Selena’.”
Among the former students who surprised Mrs Archibald by attending the anniversary was a young man who travelled from Queensland for the occasion.
“It was great, because he was in one of the first groups of students to go through here,” she said.
“I just look at all the positives, and think that I have had a hand in them growing up to be strong, proud Aboriginal people.”
Principal Cherie McDonald, who started at Morisset in 2016, was joined by former principals Mark Snedden (2011-2015), Karen Nichol (2008-2011) and Garry Allenby (2002-2007) at the anniversary celebration and reunion.
