On Tuesday the 7th of November, the Year 1’s from Vasse Primary School went on an excursion to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse site for the ‘Kaya Cape Experience’ presented by Josh Whiteland from Koomal Dreaming.
The Year 1’s were treated to a guided walk to the Whale watching platform where they heard about the uses of local flora and hunted for evidence of the fauna in the area. We spotted some echidna scratchings and even saw the spray of some large whales just off the Cape!
After our walk, we returned to Josh’s meeting area where he showed us some cultural artefacts such as digging sticks, spears, spear throwers, didgeridoos, boomerangs, axes, carrying dishes, tapping sticks and shields. The girls then learnt the traditional Emu (Wetj) dance, whilst the boys were shown how to perform the Kangaroo (Yongka) dance. We then collectively learnt the fishing dance which was then performed by 5 boys (the fishermen) and 5 girls (the fish).
On the Monday prior to our excursion, the Year 1’s made Lemon Myrtle biscuits (see recipe below) which we took to the Cape to enjoy under the trees after our Kaya Cape Experience. They were delicious!
“I learnt the Emu dance and watched the boys perform the Kangaroo dance” – Isabelle Rm 23
“’Yonga’ means Kangaroo” – Henry Rm 23
“I enjoyed listening to the story of the Whale” – Lily Rm 23
“ I heard some of the different didgeridoo sounds that represent animals” – Louie Rm 23
“The Noongar word for Boomerang is Kylie and I liked watching the fishing dance” – Maya Rm 23
“Kangaroo skin can be used as a jacket or coat” – Ally Rm 23
“’Up’ means ‘place of’” – Xavier Rm 23
“When the petals are no longer on the Peppi trees that means there will be no more rain” – Alaska Rm 23
“I learnt about the Kangaroo skin. In the summer it is lighter and in the winter it is darker” – Lily Rm 21
“I loved seeing the whales in the ocean” – Lucy Rm 21
“My favourite part of the excursion was when I did the Emu dance” – Millar Rm 25
“I learnt that when you look out at the sea, you might see a whale” – Ava Rm 25
“All the boys did the Kangaroo dance” – Charlotte Rm 26
“We learnt some new Noongar words, and Kaya means Hello” – Cianne Rm 25
Lemon Myrtle Biscuits
Ingredients
- 250 g self-raising flour
- 2 tsp dried lemon myrtle
- 180 g butter, slightly softened
- 125 g sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C.
- Sift flour and dried lemon myrtle into a bowl, then rub in the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add sugar and beaten egg and mix into a stiff dough.
- Turn out onto a floured surface and knead gently until smooth.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Roll out onto a floured surface about 5mm thick and cut into about 30 biscuits.
- Place on a greased baking tray and place in the oven for about 12-15 minutes until golden.
