We are almost there – the end of the school year is in sight, hurtling towards us at an odd pace that is both too fast and can’t come soon enough. For many, this term has been a short one with schools coming together after long lockdown breaks and for many this has been a disrupted term as schools adjusted to a new covid normal. The workload hasn’t gotten smaller, just the time to complete it. Both kids and teachers have shown amazing resilience as they pivot in an ever-changing environment with expectations of them changing at an unprecedented rate.
 
We have all definitely earned some fun this year; some time to rest, recharge and fill our cups as well as the cups of those we love. A few of my friends have admitted to putting up their Christmas trees in mid-November, an early start to festivities and a symbol of putting 2021 behind us. But for me the true sign the year is almost over is when the Christmas craft starts coming home with the kids. I love seeing what they have made and how proud they are to add their newly-made treasures to the tree. It feels like every time I look at the tree, someone has moved their carefully crafted beauty front and centre, a silent tussle for the prime position, where his work cannot be missed.
 
This year the Wingaru team have worked with two amazing Aboriginal artists – Dunghutti artist Aunty Cynthia O’Brien-Younie, and Marlee Webb, an emerging Darug artist – to bring you some new Christmas crafts for you to share with your class. This year we are excited to add gorgeous gift boxes and tree decorations to our growing collection of Christmas resources. If you are looking for something to put into the gift boxes, check out last year’s wattleseed shortbread recipe – who wouldn’t love to receive a gorgeous box of tiny treats!
 
I have shared a couple of activities below and Wingaru Kids subscribers will find more Christmas crafts in the ‘Teacher Resources’ section of the dashboard. Here you will also find our Christmas Craft Guide to help you turn a simple craft session into meaningful inclusion of First Nations content. This year our suggestions align with 13 curriculum outcomes.
 
I hope you get the chance to stop and look around in these last busy weeks. To enjoy the laughter and chatter of the kids in your class and find a moment to join them as they colour, cut and create, eager to get their stories out and to hear the stories of those around them.
 
I’d love to see your class’s creations so please share them!

Our free Aboriginal craft activities for Christmas - Download from link below