On the first full day back for 2026, YSC was honoured to welcome Shaun Braybrook and the team from Wulgunggo Ngalu, who conducted a traditional smoking ceremony to mark the beginning of the school year. Our Year 12 students played an important role in the ceremony, with a particular focus on supporting our Year 7s as they begin their secondary school journey.
This annual ceremony is a meaningful moment of celebration, respect, acknowledgement and cultural exchange for our school community. Principal Lyn Kerrison reflected on its significance, noting, “I continue to be humbled by the cultural knowledge that is so willingly imparted to our school community, but especially to our youth.”
Shaun shared the rich symbolic meaning behind the ceremony, explaining how each element carries significance. Gum leaves represent the elders, while cherry ballart symbolises our youth, highlighting the importance of connection across generations.
Shaun’s words were so impactful that our School Captains, Lexie Francis and Will Cook, have chosen inclusion as their focus for Term 1. We are deeply grateful for the time and knowledge shared by Shaun and the Wulgunggo Ngalu team, and YSC could not have asked for a more meaningful way to begin the school year.
