Week 1, Term 3, 2021

Update from Leadership

What an exciting first week back we have had getting ready for the Grand Opening of the Yeperenye art work concourse next Friday. I’m sure many of you have already seen it and agree it is a vast improvement from the white line. Our journey towards this project has been a long one with lots of consultation along the way. It is very important to Bradshaw that we are culturally sensitive and many community members have advised us over many years. William Liddle has designed the work and Chris from Brushcraft painted it for us. We believe this project is at the cutting edge of community consultation and engagement and as always, Bradshaw shines.

The students have been learning about the significance of the Yeperenye to the landscape of Alice Springs as well as its importance to Arrernte culture. Next week the Year 2 to Year 6 students will travel on the bus to view the sites around Alice that relate to the Yeperenye. Our Transition and Year 1 students will visit the Yeperenye sculpture at Araluen. We have been learning to sing the chorus of the School Song in Arrernte as well as learning some new Arrernte language.

The concourse art work uses the life cycle of the Yeperenye to reflect the students’ growth from Transition to Year 6 with eggs at the beginning, caterpillars growing in size down the concourse and a moth at the end as our students leave Bradshaw for Middle School. Meeting circles are also dotted down the concourse as coming together and connecting is as important in school as it is in life.

The Grand Opening on Friday the 20^th will be a significant event for Bradshaw and for Alice Springs. Department of Education staff from the Indigenous Education Strategy and Community Engagement sections will travel from Darwin and most media outlets will be in attendance. Our whole community is invited to attend. The celebration will be held at the front lawn area of the school where there will be speeches and singing. We will all then walk through the concourse. The students will then enjoy some kangaroo tail while the adults return to the arehle ampwe-kenhe hall for some nibbles. We do hope you can make it as I think the event will be remembered by the students for a long time.

At the same time the Akaltye Team has been working with students, staff and the community on a statement which acknowledges the Aboriginal Country and People upon whose land our school is built. This will be painted on the front of our school.

‘At Bradshaw we acknowledge the Arrernte people who are the Artweye mape (Traditional custodians) of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) upon whose apmere (land) our school is built. We pay our respect to Custodians and Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise their teaching of Storylines and the continuing spiritual connection with country, culture and heritage.

We celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and extend our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people visiting from other areas of Australia.  

We acknowledge and understand that Elders, parents, families and communities are the first educators of their children. We recognise and respect the cultures and strengths that Aboriginal children bring to the classroom through sharing their connections to country, community, language, culture, oral histories, stories and lived experiences that are passed from generation to generation.

We value the learning that Aboriginal children bring from their homes and communities to the classroom and recognise and value the importance of a strong and genuine partnership in ensuring the best outcomes for all our students.

We respect the Elders’ belief that all children born in Alice Springs are part of this country and hold the sacredness within them. With this great honour comes great responsibility to care for the land and all its people.’

The Akaltye Team is always looking for community members so if you are interested in becoming a member please let the front office know. Meetings are held on some Wednesday afternoons from 3.30pm.

See you next Friday before 11am. Tea, biscuits and a seat in the sun available if you arrive early.

Jennie Ward

Assistant Principal

NAIDOC Week at Bradshaw

As a part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations all students have been asked to wear their NAIDOC colours to school on Monday the 26th July. We look forward to seeing all the kids dressed up on Monday and are excited to see the kids learning and celebrating NAIDOC. 

Year 5A Alice History and Geography Excursion

Last term, 5A enjoyed a wonderful excursion experience to witness the many changes that have happened over time in Alice Springs and the significant impact that the Telegraph Station and railway and road transport had on the settlement and aboriginal life. This was a significant part of some amazing learning where we have been able to contrast this with what has happened in North America.

Our Year 5 students can be justifiably proud of their exemplary behaviour, excellent questions and Bradshaw Learner Qualities that were on display the whole day.

Fun in Art at Bradshaw

In Art this term students have loved learning and working with CLAY! Here are some year 3 and 4s working on their clay cupcakes. Students planned their design first in their sketch books, next they got their hands dirty and moulded their lump of clay into their cupcake designs and finally got to paint their cupcakes. We can't wait to put all our clay sculptures on display next term in the annual Bradshaw ART SHOW!

Learning in Transition Markham

In Transition we have been learning about the difference between fiction and nonfiction books. We explored a variety of books and then sorted them into their category. 

The students loved exploring the information they found in the nonfiction books and eagerly share their finding with their friends. 

4SW going Back in Time

Last term in 4SW we loved going back in time to study Australia’s history. We designed and built our very own time machines to take us back to different times in Australia’s history. This term we’re looking forward to developing our design and technology skills further as we design and construct our very own compost systems!

Covid Check in App - QR Codes

In line with CHO Directions, it is mandatory for all NT businesses, including schools or Early Childhood Education and Care services to use The Territory Check In system or manual sign in to collect contact details, no matter how long they are there for.  Bradshaw have ensured that all our entry points/gates all have QR Codes posted on them. If you require a manual check in, please come see us at the front office. 

Please note, this is mandatory for all visitors to your school (which includes families and carers entering the school grounds to drop off or pick up students). If a parent is dropping off a student at the Kiss and Go, or dropping them outside of the school gates, the Check In is not required. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 490 484.

Parent Contributions

If you have not yet paid your parent contribution for 2021, please call into the office and do so by the end of Term. Thank you. 

Road Safety around Bradshaw

The safety of our children is all of our priority.

Please don’t stop in “No Stopping”,  “No Parking” zones or the designated bus bay on Flynn Drive.

A number of people have been seen talking on their mobile phones whilst driving within the vicinity of the school.  Please put children’s safety first.

Please use the actual car parks on the Flynn Drv oval side car park

Whilst we can’t enforce these things, we would like to ask you to help us by making sure your follow these road rules.

Upcoming Events at Bradshaw

Monday 26th July: NAIDOC Week Celebrations (Excursions commencing Monday) 

Friday 30th July: Yeperenye Concourse Opening & Ceremony 

Week 5: Year 4 and 5 Ross River Camp

Week 7: School Photographer

Community Announcements

Parking Congestion Monday 26th July will occur on Flynn Drive due to some filming that will occur at the Purple House. SBS production will commence filming from 2pm on Monday til 6pm. 

Please utilies the Flynn Drive Oval if need be.