At Wirrigirri Primary School, our identity began with a name, but it has grown into something much deeper. When the Woi Wurrung word Wirrigirri was gifted to our community, it offered us more than a label. It gave us a purpose. Wirrigirri means messenger, and traditionally a Wirrigirri carried stories, knowledge and invitations between Aboriginal groups. That role as communicator and connector sits at the heart of who we are and how we learn together.
The Victorian Government’s School and Campus Naming Policy requires new schools to prioritise First Nations language names, developed in partnership with Traditional Owners. While this provided the starting point for our naming process, I wanted to ensure our school’s name was not used in a tokenistic way. It needed to be deeply understood, respectfully engaged with and meaningfully embedded in our everyday language and culture. For our community, the name had to shape the school we were creating, not simply appear on a sign.
Before the school opened, the design and consultation process focused on understanding the cultural stories of the landscape and the significance of place. This work shaped decisions about our buildings, the physical environment and the Woi Wurrung names gifted for each space. When I joined the project, I inherited this rich cultural foundation and took time to understand the meaning behind the design decisions and then our school’s name, Wirrigirri, and the responsibilities it carries.
Our connection to place deepened further during construction, when Wurundjeri artefacts were uncovered on our site. These findings reminded us that this land holds stories far older than our school. Once the artefacts were discovered, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan was developed. Through this plan we worked with Wurundjeri Council to repatriate and respectfully display artefacts in ways that honour their cultural significance. It is a rare responsibility and one we carry with great care.
This purpose flows into our school logo. Seven message sticks represent each year level, surrounding a sun that reflects the warmth and support of our community. Below, a book and a bird emerge together to symbolise learning, curiosity and growth. The soft blue at the base reflects our connection to Country and our responsibility to care for it.
Our buildings also carry Woi Wurrung names that reflect land, story and identity. Bial sits beside a magnificent River Red Gum and houses our Gymnasium, Kitchen and Performing Arts spaces. Our Learning Hubs are Dual, Heron and Iuk, each representing creatures, waterways and cultural meaning. Bour-deet brings together our Administration, Library and specialist spaces. Every building features Wurundjeri artwork that matches the building name, helping students experience culture in a living and authentic way.
Connection shapes how our school operates. Every student belongs to a Kin Group, supported by a Kin Teacher, and each day begins with Connect. Our Learning Community model brings multiple Kin Teachers together to support all children, strengthening collective responsibility for learning and wellbeing.
Even our student recognition reflects our name. Instead of traditional awards, we share weekly Messages that celebrate kindness, curiosity, effort and contributions to our community. Students notice and uplift one another, and their words are shared at Assembly for families to hear. It builds voice, reflection and a strong sense of belonging. These messages come from students first, not teachers.
Our learning program mirrors the same intention. Through Pathways and Projects, students explore identity, community and their place in the world. Younger students learn about personal identity and connection to Country. Older students explore migration, cultural exchange and First Nations perspectives. We remain committed to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across all learning areas as our curriculum evolves.
All of these choices are deliberate. They reflect the school we set out to build, shaped by respect, curiosity and collaboration. Culture is not an add on at Wirrigirri. It is part of our foundation. It began with a name and now, Wirrigirri guides how we teach, how we connect and how we learn side by side each day.
As always, still more to do, but a meaningful start in connecting to culture and Country at Wirrigirri.
~ Bec