We have had a wonderful start to the school year in both Bush Kindy and Bush School.  The harmony in the group dynamics in both classes has been a joy to work with, and the children have  been respectful and enthusiastic in their participation in all activities.  Over the months of February and March we experience the Noongar season of Bunuru (pronounced Boonaroo), during which period the creek is at its driest, and thus most accessible for the children.

We began the year guided by a story from Elder Aunty Iris Woods about this season, and had a go at fishing for Djilgi (freshwater prawns) with a small piece of bacon tied to a string on a stick.  This activity was greatly enjoyed by all, even though only one Djilgi was caught, by Ruby in Class 1.  Because we are uncertain of the population of Djilgi in the creek, our intention was just to be able to examine this fascinating creature, then return it to its habitat.

The following week we engaged in our annual Bunuru activity of walking the length of the creek from the school boundary back to our campsite.  The intention is for the children to experience the living ecosystem of the creek as a sentient living being, the Waagal that the children learn about in the Carers of Everything story.  Each child throws a handful of sand and says their name before entering the creek.

For the Bush School children, this involves staying close to the water’s edge the whole time, with some occasional group challenges to all safely traverse the more difficult sections, with some steep banks, clambering over or under logs, patches of blackberries and some creek crossings (never deeper than up to their hips).  The children christened one place at the beginning of our trek ‘Midgee Heaven’ for the thousands upon thousands of small ‘midgees’ we disturbed as we passed, a name that is sure to endure.  Later in the morning we created a ‘map’ on the ground back at camp of the rough shape of the creek, and the children were able to identify where certain features and landmarks were.

The Bush Kindy children do the same walk, but follow the forest paths for the more difficult sections, then enter the creek at certain access points for an easier challenge.  Someone began to call out the phrase ‘Yellow is shallow’, to remind us where it is safest to step in the creek, and this was repeated back down the line to help others.  The coolness of the creek and the shade of the trees in the hot sunny weather makes this immersive activity a seasonal highlight for all.

As well as Djilgis and midgees, we have also had encounters with small frogs (Kooya), a pair of tawny frogmouths (Gambigorn), a beautiful large spider (Kara) weaving its spiderweb (Kara Mia), and a very friendly green leafy cricket-like insect, whose name we do not know.