NAIDOC events are a great time to celebrate culture with the wider community, but it matters every day at Moree East Public School.

Senior Leader Community Engagement Jamie Sampson spoke movingly at a recent gathering about “breaking out the ochre” and the role culture plays in boosting confidence and wellbeing.

“Culture and language have played a huge part in lifting the confidence and self-esteem of our students,” Mr Sampson told visitors to the Connected Communities school.

“They play a huge part in who we are as people and our connection to Country and each other. Through culture, we regain our identity and (through) teaching what our elders fought so hard for us to get.

“The passion and pride in our students’ faces when they dance and sing, listen and learn, speaks volumes to how important culture is for us and for our wellbeing.”

It is a personal matter for Mr Sampson, as he works to ensure his daughter, Year 6 school captain Kayleigh, has access to what he was denied.

“One of my favourite parts of being at this school is being immersed in culture,” he said.

“I was not able to learn culture growing up like these students are.

“I come to school as a worker and learn culture; I get to speak the language. It is great for me to be able learn alongside the kids; it has given me my identity.”

Colleague and cultural worker Paul Spearim attended the school as a child and was privileged with others to learn culture from his father, a Gamillaroi man.

In turn, he has sent his own sons to the school and looks forward to attending every day to share his knowledge.

“I have an obligation as a cultural knowledge holder to give back what I have,” he said.

“This is the perfect place for me to give back, on Gamillaroi Country with Gamillaroi kids, giving back Gamilaroi knowledge.”

Together, Mr Sampson and Mr Spearim have powerful and happy memories of working with the 2024 Year 6 boys, who wanted to do something special for their farewell.

“The boys wanted to break out the ochre, get painted up and dance for their families and communities and show their pride,” Mr Sampson said. “These boys ranged from shy and anxious, to outgoing and confident.”

For weeks they rehearsed without telling anyone else.

“We got them all together and took them out the back and it was a big secret, and the boys loved it,” Mr Sampson said.

“It was such a special night; they were painted up and backing each other up.

“It was such a beautiful moment to be with those boys who had come a long way in themselves, and we have culture to thank for that.

“They danced for their families, they cheered and one of the little shy fellas said, ‘can I get my Year 6 certificate like this?’

“All the boys jumped in and accepted their certificates still painted up and still full of pride and that is what culture can do for wellbeing.”

Executive Principal Lorinda Potter said the work of Mr Sampson, Mr Spearim, Penny Smith, Paula Duncan and others nourished and immersed students in culture and language.

"I am proud we are committed to fostering an authentic learning environment where we work together as a team, sharing ideas and knowledge to build our collective understanding,” Ms Potter said.

“I am so pleased we clearly demonstrate how we value and embrace language and culture on a daily basis, to ensure a lasting and positive impact, grounded in a shared commitment to meaningful progress within and beyond our school gates.”