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 will expand her program to further share her vast knowledge of Indigenous culture. She will instruct students on sustainability in food, continue the Indigenous art program, and lead our students in the celebration of Pakenham Secondary College’s Indigenous Cultural Day.
This year, our Indigenous Student Leader is Tori Conden, a proud descendant of the Wurundjeri Tribe of the Melbourne region. Tori is honored to serve as our Koorie Cultural Captain. She has previously represented Pakenham Secondary College at the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Cardinia Shire Civic Centre, commemorating Reconciliation Week, and, along with her class, has created exceptional Indigenous art. Tori takes great pride in being an integral part of our Indigenous Cultural Day and enjoys sharing her knowledge with her peers.
Your Future, Our Focus Program
In 2024, Pakenham Secondary College Indigenous students attended the 'Your Future, Our Focus' program at The William Cooper Institute, which offers Koorie students the chance to explore higher education at Monash University. The event featured cultural and educational activities, allowing students to connect with peers and ambassadors while learning about diverse academic programs.
Our Koorie Captain -
Tori-Rose Conden
Tori 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.
PSC Indigenous Cultural Day
In August, we hosted our annual Indigenous Cultural Day, led by Sam Richards, our Indigenous Artist in Residence, for our Indigenous students. The day began with a general education session on Victorian culture, followed by an introduction to traditional symbols and art techniques. Students then created stories using these symbols, culminating in the creation of a beautiful artwork now displayed in our foyer.
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.
