​K-2 Classes and their Learning Spaces

With the permission and support of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, in 2019 Dominic College began naming its Early Years classrooms using palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aboriginals.

The College embarked on this process in order to:

• Heighten the significance of the amazing retrieval and revival of palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aborigines for Tasmania and our entire College community;

• Affirm the role that language plays in sustaining culture and constructing history;
• Celebrate one of the world’s oldest existing cultures, belonging to our First Nation Peoples and its continuation despite invasion and genocide;
• Move a cultural construct at the College that favours European and Colonial descriptors for children to embed that which is indigenous to Australians (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal).

The pulana Precinct

The K-2 Precinct at the College is called the pulana Precinct. pulana (pronounced pu lah nah) is the palawa kani word for star.

The star is one of the key symbols within the College tradition – it is highlighted on the College crest and the tie of our formal uniform.

The star is a sacred and spiritual symbol for many faith traditions. In Christianity, the star is symbolic of divine guidance and protection. The star of Bethlehem represents God’s guidance, and the star of David is a powerful symbol of protection in Judaism. The star is part of the Salesian coat of arms and the Dominican coat of arms.

Listen here for pronunciation

luwutina Centre

Within the pulana Precinct is a special multi-purpose centre called the luwutina Centre (pronounced lu wu tee nah).

luwutina is palawa kani for Child.

The luwutina Centre is used for student gatherings, specialist teaching classes and group workshops. It also serves as the College’s space to conduct Before and After School Care and the Vacation Care Program.

Listen here for the pronunciation