Deadly Arts | Authentic, Living Culture in Action

Proud Kulin artist and Teaching Artist Aunty Sammy Trist led over 300 primary students from Tyabb Railway Station, Crib Point, and Red Hill Consolidated schools in Victoria on a powerful journey of cultural learning through The Song Room’s Deadly Arts program. Throughout the term, students explored First Nations culture, creativity and connection — celebrating community and Country every step of the way.

The term culminated in a powerful event—the Deadly Arts Community Celebration—where all three schools came together in a day of pride, learning and cultural sharing. The event showcased what happens when students are given the opportunity to connect deeply with local First Nations culture through art, language and story.

Young artists at the Deadly Arts Community Celebration add their handprints to a collaborative painting, immersing themselves in First Nations culture through arts learning.

“What a transformational experience we’ve had at Crib Point Primary School. Aunty Sammy has brought more than just her immense cultural knowledge — she has brought heart, wisdom, and a deeply personal connection that has changed our school community for the better.” Michelle Dee, Supervising Art Teacher, Crib Point Primary School

Students Celebrate Culture, Language and Art

Across the term, students took part in weekly workshops exploring First Nations stories, art and language. Through arts learning they learnt about local cultural practices, the significance of Country and their role in caring for it.

Under Aunty Sammy’s guidance, students co-designed three sculptural shields, using South Eastern line art and cultural symbols such as water lines, boomerangs, and Bundjil, the creator spirit of the Kulin Nation. Each shield will be permanently installed on the school grounds—serving as a lasting reminder of their learning and connection.

“The children just loved it. Almost every student said the sessions with Aunty Sammy were the highlight of the term,” said a Grade 4 teacher from Red Hill Consolidated School.

Assistant Principal Ross Wettenhall, said students at Crib Point Primary School “are now confidently using Kulin language, including Bunurong/Boon Wurrung words, in everyday interactions. It’s not unusual to hear them saying ‘Waah’ when they see a crow, or greeting Aunty Sammy in language. This is authentic, living culture in action, and it’s had a profound and lasting impact.”

A Celebration of Connection

At the end of the term all three schools came together in one day of learning, connection and celebration to unveil their sculptures at the Deadly Arts Community Celebration. Held at Red Hill Consolidated School, the morning was rich with cultural activity and student engagement.

The day began with a Welcome to Country led by Jaeden Williams, a proud Yalukit Willam man of the Boonwurrung people. The interactive Welcome grounded the event in local culture and set the tone of respect, connection and collaboration.

Students from all three schools were then split into groups and took part in a storytelling session with Jaeden before swapping to a collaborative art activity where they added their hand print to create a colourful painting of Bundjil for their school.

Authentic Culture in Action! Kulin artist and Song Room Teaching Artist Aunty Sammy Trist
with students during the Deadly Arts program.

The celebration ended with the big reveal of the three sculptural shields. The artwork, co-designed by students with guidance from Aunty Sammy, showed unique school symbols, along with shared motifs of water, land and Bundjil. Once installed, the shields will be lasting reminder for each school of their cultural learning and connection with neighbouring schools.

The day ended with heartfelt reflections from students and staff, marking the close of a term that has sparked curiosity, built cultural pride, and created authentic connections through the arts.

Teaching Artist Aunty Sammy Trist and students with the the shields from the three schools.

A Cultural Experience That Transforms

Teachers say the impact of the program has extended well beyond the art room. Students now greet Aunty Sammy in language, use new cultural terms in everyday conversation, and approach Aboriginal culture with curiosity and respect—not just during NAIDOC Week, but as part of regular learning.

“This program sets a powerful precedent – it packs a punch of local culture, not tokenistic gestures. Programs like this pave the way for true understanding, respect, and reconciliation.” Ross Wettenhall, Assistant Principal, Crib Point Primary School.

Educators Learning Too

It wasn’t just the students learning. Teachers across the three schools also took part in the program and say the experience has deepened their own understanding of Koorie culture, language and pedagogy.

Teachers who took part in the program said that working with an Aboriginal Artist in the classroom over the entire term was a huge benefit.

“As educators ourselves, we’ve come away with so much knowledge. For me, I feel so much more confident sharing with the children and it feels much more authentic as well.”

One teacher reflected, “To have the opportunity to have a nine-week program running in the school is phenomenal. To be able to really build each week has been an amazing experience to be a part of.”

A Program That Belongs in Every School

The Deadly Arts program is a Song Room initiative co-designed and delivered by First Nations artists like Aunty Sammy. The program helps schools build authentic, respectful relationships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and supports teachers in delivering culturally responsive education.

A teacher from Tyabb Railway Station Primary School said that students come to class asking, “Is Aunty Sammy here today?” – even before stepping into the classroom. “They’re disappointed when I said ‘actually no’ we’ve  finished the program.”

The Deadly Arts program in Victoria is a pilot program made possible through the Victorian Department of Education.

“(Deadly Arts) should be something that every school is privy to and every child on the Mornington Peninsula is able to be a part of. It would create such a great value in their education.” Teacher, Tyabb Railway Station Primary School

Learn More

The Song Room partners with schools to deliver high-impact, culturally responsive arts learning. Learn more about our programs at songroom.org.au/programs