Our College
Celebrating Indigenous Culture at PSC
Pakenham Secondary College embraces the culture, history, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, celebrating important events such as Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week, and our own Indigenous Cultural Day. We are also thrilled to have Indigenous Artist in Residence, Samantha Richards, who mentors our students.
Samantha has been with Pakenham Secondary College since the beginning of 2024. A descendant of the Wurundjeri and Dja Dja Wurrung tribes of the Melbourne and Bendigo regions, she has been educating our students about traditional Wurundjeri symbols, telling Creation and Dreamtime stories, and sharing insightful knowledge of Indigenous culture, including her expertise in Indigenous flora. Samantha has also taught weaving, woodwork practices, and created Indigenous digital art using Procreate.
In 2025, Samantha expanded her program to further share her vast knowledge of Indigenous culture. She instructed students on sustainability in food, continued the Indigenous art program - including assisting our Year 10 students with the beautiful mosaics that appear on the cover of our 2025 Yearbook and are placed by our indigenous garden beds), and lead our students in the celebration of Pakenham Secondary College’s Indigenous Cultural Day.
Sam also painted a stunning mural in our gymnasium, using traditional symbols to tell the stories of the Indigenous athletes who inspire our four Houses: Ash Barty (Red), Cathy Freeman (Yellow), Eddie Betts (Blue) and Patty Mills (Green).
In 2026, we are once again enjoying our close working relationship with Sam Richards.
This year, our Indigenous Student Leader is Raine Williams, a proud descendant of the Wurundjeri people of the Melbourne region. Raine has spoken eloquently at our whole-school assemblies in the first half of the year, including our recent ANZAC Day assembly, where she delivered a personally written Acknowledgement of Country.
NAIDOC Week 2026 at Pakenham Secondary
Throughout NAIDOC Week, students and staff came together to celebrate and recognise the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Across the College, students participated in a range of learning experiences that encouraged them to deepen their understanding of First Nations cultures, traditions and perspectives.
Students explored Indigenous storytelling, art, symbolism and cultural practices through engaging classroom activities, while also reflecting on the significance of this year's NAIDOC Week theme. The week provided valuable opportunities for students to build cultural awareness, strengthen their appreciation of Australia's First Nations peoples and celebrate the rich and enduring cultures that continue to shape our nation.
PSC Indigenous Day
27 July 2026
At the end of July, we hosted our annual Indigenous Day. The day began with an education session , providing students with the opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Students also explored Indigenous artefacts, listened to storytelling, learnt about traditional Indigenous art and the meaning behind its symbols, created beautiful watercolour postcards using traditional Indigenous symbols and enjoyed damper made using traditional ingredients. Our Koorie students also participated in the Monash University 'Hand on Health' program - a Health & Wellbeing workshop designed to supprot Koorie students through practical strategies for wellbeing, cultural strength and personal development.
Our Koorie Captain -
Raine Williams
Raine is passionate about being the school’s Koorie Captain to serve as a strong representative and advocate for their community. They aim to inspire other Indigenous students, encouraging them to embrace their cultural heritage and empowering them to pursue their educational goals, showing that anything is possible through determination and support.
As Koorie Captain, Raine hopes to help create an inclusive and welcoming environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students feel valued, respected and proud of who they are. They are committed to promoting greater understanding of First Nations cultures across the College and helping to strengthen connections between students, staff and the wider community through their leadership.
Cardinia Network Marrung Steering Committee
Pakenham Secondary College is proud to be part of the Cardinia Network Marrung Steering Committee.
The Cardinia Network Marrung Steering Committee (CNMSC) is dedicated to improving Aboriginal education, resulting in more inclusive teaching practices across Cardinia’s school network and better wellbeing and educational outcomes for all Koorie students in the region.
The CNMSC consists of a committed group of school leaders from Cardinia’s 26 schools. Working collaboratively in a Community of Practice to implement the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan 2016–2026, they have successfully built capacity across the network, fostering a more connected, safe, and inclusive environment for Koorie children and their families.
Through strengthening the links between Koorie communities and schools, the CNMSC has integrated Aboriginal cultural activities and perspectives into the curriculum, informed by the voices of Koorie students and parents. This collective effort has led to significant improvements in the Cardinia region, with Koorie students showing increased attendance, academic achievement, and greater engagement in school events and cultural activities.
The Cardinia Network Marrung Steering Committee were the winners of the Outstanding Koorie Education Award at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards in 2024.
