Cultural Integrity at Deakin
At Deakin, we are proud to embed Cultural Integrity at the heart of our school community. We are committed to creating a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students feel connected, valued, and supported, and where all students and staff develop a deep respect for First Nations histories, cultures, and perspectives.
Deakin Deadly Mob
The Deakin Deadly Mob (DDM) is a vital and vibrant student group that brings together our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Through regular meetings, DDM provides a space for students to connect, share experiences, celebrate culture, and build leadership skills. The group plays an important role in fostering a sense of pride, belonging, and community within our school.
Supporting Transitions and Pathways
We work closely with students and families during key transition points, particularly Year 6 into Year 7. Our Transition Days invite families to meet our Deakin Deadly Mob and staff, building early connections that support a strong and confident start to high school. We also partner with local colleges to support Year 10 students as they explore future school and career pathways, ensuring that they are well-prepared and encouraged to achieve their goals.
Culturally Enriching Teaching and Learning
Our Deakin 7 Cultural Integrity Improvement Team meets regularly to strengthen how we embed cultural perspectives across all curriculum areas. Guided by the Cultural Integrity Framework, we focus on creating learning environments where all students feel a sense of belonging and where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and perspectives are respectfully and authentically included. We support staff in developing enriching, culturally aware programs that celebrate and honour the diversity of our community.
Honouring Significant Events
We acknowledge and celebrate key cultural events with genuine respect and integrity. Events such as Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week are recognised through meaningful activities, assemblies, and learning experiences that deepen understanding and inspire action towards reconciliation.
Building for the Future
We continue to pursue new opportunities to strengthen our community engagement and support student success. Initiatives such as the Go Foundation’s Student Scholars program and participation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student forums provide powerful platforms for our students to grow as leaders, connect with mentors, and expand their horizons.
Celebrating Culture through Art
A highlight of our commitment to cultural recognition is the Deakin Mural, a stunning artwork that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and connection to Country. You can view a video showcasing the mural’s creation and the stories behind it.
“The design tells a story about learning and living on country for the Alfred Deakin High School community as well as inclusiveness in the surrounding community. This is represented by the smaller circles around the bigger circles and the footprints coming and going through the design. The design also includes the Echidna and the Kangaroo, which are bookended by a blooming gum and gum leaves, recognising the local flora. It portrays the Red Hill and Brindabella Mountain ranges running through it as well as the local waterways, the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee River. The U-shapes in formation represent learning and the U-shapes inside the circles represent staff and students. There are three larger circles that represent Primary school, High School and College with the last three U-shapes facing outwards indicating navigating employment or further education.”
House Mascot Mural, House Mascots and PE House Shirts
Name of Animal - Cassowary
Cassowaries are native to Northern Australia, New Guinea and surrounding islands. The Cassowaries of the Daintree Rainforest have not changed in some 40 million years and are vital to the survival of the rainforest.
Name of Animal - Crocodile
Croc Country begins at the Boyne River south of Gladstone, and extends northwar, up the east coast and across far north and north west Queensland to the Northern Territory border. There are 10,000 crocodiles in Kakadu - that's 10% of all the crocs in the Northern Territory!
Name of Animal - Echidna
Echidnas are found throughout mainland Australia, as well as Tasmania, King Island and Kangaroo Island. In winter, echidnas can become inactive and, at higher altitudes like Mount Kosciuszko and are known to hibernate for up to 28 weeks.
Name of Animal - Blue-Tongue Lizard
Blue-Tongues can be found in virtually all habitats across Australia. In Victoria, they inhabit a wide variety of ecosystems from coastal heathland, lowlands, and mountain forests to interior plains. Blue-Tongue Lizards are one of the most common reptiles that will be seen in suburban areas within Canberra (Namadgi).