Yaama 

Welcome to a new school year. I look forward to working with our staff, students and families again this year at St Kevin’s in my role as Aboriginal Education Teacher.

Aboriginal Education is really important for all members of the school community as we learn about our First Nations people, their history and traditions, connection to the land and how we can all work together to continue building an informed, happy, welcoming and respectful Australian society.

This year we have 14 Aboriginal students at St Kevin’s. This represents 13% of the school population which is a very healthy representation. I bring the students together each week to learn and yarn about Aboriginal culture, Dreaming stories, history etc. All of our children and their families live on Awabakal country but their traditional connections are with other ‘nations’ (traditional areas) in New South Wales or Victoria.

I am a Gomeroi man from the Quirindi area on my grandfather’s side. My grandfather was born at Walhallow Station at Caroona but left the area as a young man to start a small business in Hunter St Newcastle. He made and repaired bicycles and his was the first bicycle shop in Newcastle.

I also have Irish and British ancestry on my mother’s and father’s side. It is really interesting to research all sides of my family tree and I’m on an exciting journey of discovery.

May God bless us as we work together for the good of all in our community, for Reconciliation and Respect.

Phil Taylor

Aboriginal Education Teacher