CELEBRATING the new school year, Berala Public School staff (pictured) have taken part in a ‘smoking ceremony and blessing’ to cleanse the space and ward off negative energy.
Helping to set the scene for a bright future, the ceremony was also to celebrate the opening of the school’s new inclusive education unit, with a second event to follow for the community in the coming weeks.
Regularly conducting ceremonies of cleansing and welcome, including performing a welcome to country for Prince Edward at Government House last year, First Nations Education’s Connie Dawson said the group’s goal was to preserve Indigenous culture and encourage cultural immersion.
“Working with aboriginal elders, traditional owners, aboriginal artists and cultural dancers, we deliver Welcome To Country events, smoking ceremonies, didgeridoo and dance performance and interactive art and culture workshops in the corporate and education sectors,” she said.
Ceremony to bless school year
