2024 year’s leavers shirt design was created with the aspirations of our students. We came together and discussed what they value and dream for in their future, as they prepare to finish their primary school journey and begin their high school journey.

The students came up with these core values: Culture, Family, Friends, Nature/Land, Food, Elders, Education, Animals, Home, and Ocean/Water.

 

This year we have signified the Minjin - Mountain Devil/Thorny Devil as the animal of the 2024 Leavers shirt. It is believed the minjin carries ochre in a pouch on the back of its neck and wanders the land leaving ochre along the way. Ochre was traditionally used in ceremonies. However, we have used the blue colours to represent our school and the importance that primary education has on influencing us in who we become, and to demonstrate our school pride.

 

The minjin is a small but mighty lizard, that symbolises resilience and uniqueness. The “false head” on the back of the minjin’s neck is a good reminder that sometimes we need to put on a brave face to get through difficult situations, and it’s spikey exterior is a good way of expressing that your value doesn’t decrease because of your appearance or experiences. The minjin is an iconic midwest/yamaji country animal, the rarity makes them even more legendary.

 

The story we created behind the minjin includes the core values that our students suggested above. From the bottom of the design, there is an abundance of ant nests beneath the land, to emphasise that culture lies beneath the surface - within the land and continues to nourish Aboriginal people. The rugged line is there to represent the land on which the minjin wanders and reflects resilience.

 

The minga (ants) are symbolising food and the hope for prosperity for all our students’ futures. Above the minga, we have hills to represent happiness. We want to encourage our students to always prioritise their mental health. The larger, more prominent arches are to signify the important role our elders have in our lives and the value and knowledge they share.

 

The footprints are to remind our students that their journey is theirs, and to be mindful of the pathways they choose to take. The yarning circles are to symbolise family and friends in different discourses, joined by the fluidity of waves. This represents our connections to each other and the connection our students have to the waters around our home.

 

Finished with the six hands across the top to acknowledge the conclusion of the 6th year of primary school, also to assure our students place and belonging at Rangeway Primary School.