Narrogin Primary School receives donation of books written by Indigenous authors to promote Noongar language

Narrogin Primary School received a donation of $1200 worth of books written by Indigenous authors to encourage a love of literacy among both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Representatives from the Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health, project services organisation ENSCOPE and the Department of Education’s Wheatbelt director Doug Cook visited the school last week to present the books. The books were donated by FISH and its donor partner ENSCOPE through the Books For All Program which includes educational and culturally appropriate bilingual Noongar language and Indigenous authored books. Books such as The First Scientists by Corey Tutt, Somebody’s Land: Welcome to Our Country by Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing, and David Hardy, and Hello and Welcome by Gregg Dreise were among the selection donated. School principal David Harrison said the books would help promote Noongar language within the classrooms. “There are not a lot of resources available in schools that promote Noongar language but these books help to represent the language both written and pictorially really well,” he said. “It gives a greater sense of identity for our Noongar children and it also adds a lot to the reconciliation opportunities for the school. “All of the kids enjoy the books, it’s not just Indigenous kids but it’s for all children.” The books were donated during a special presentation last Wednesday. “The Indigenous students participated in a special ceremony where the books were presented and they certainly were very enthusiastic about it,” Mr Harrison said. “There are some very good titles and stories. “All kids will have the opportunity to borrow and read them.” The school has actively encouraged its students to learn about Noongar language and culture, with many of the activities led by local elder and Aboriginal Islander education officer Basil “Pop” Kickett. The students each contributed an illustration to Mr Kickett’s book When Pop Was a Boy. “The kids are actually becoming quite excited by the books and they really enjoyed being involved in the production of Basil’s book,” Mr Harrison said. “Every kid drew a picture and the best pictures were selected for the actual publication. “They all had a bit of ownership of it.” The selection of books will be displayed in the school library for students and their families to borrow.