Ngumpie Weaving First Nations workshop
Term 2 & 4
Primary - High School: Stage 3 – 6, Years 5 – 10
Learning areas: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Creative Arts, History
Overlooking Sydney Harbour, students learn about First Nations heritage and culture from Barkindtji, Maraura, Yorta Yorta and Duduroa artist Tegan Murdock while weaving bracelets and baskets using natural materials, feathers, flowers and native seeds.
| Term | Date | Time |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 13 May 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 2 | Wednesday 14 May 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 2 | Thursday 15 May 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 4 | Tuesday 28 October 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 4 | Wednesday 29 October 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Term 4 | Thursday 30 October 2025 | 10am, 12:30pm |
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 25 students | $375 |
| 25 - 45 students | $675 |
Minimum group rates may apply for classes with less than 25 students. Ratio required for supervision is one teacher per 15 students.
The only authorised ticket agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
Arts Assist: The Arts Assist ticket and travel subsidy program provides the full cost of the Creative Learning program ticket and $5 per student toward travel costs. Find out more about Arts Assist.
- Audio loop available
- No language barrier
Wheelchair accessible: There are a number of wheelchair and companion seating locations in our theatres. To book accessible seating call Box Office on +61 2 9250 7777 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm AEST) or email bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com.
Social Story: A social story provides information about what to expect when attending a venue or show. It has short descriptions with images. Download the Centre for Creativity Social Story (PDF).
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House.
This workshop will be held in the Centre for Creativity.
Run time: This program runs for approximately 75 minutes. Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Materials: All materials for this workshop will be provided.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Download our Child Safety Policy (PDF).
Tegan MurdockI want my weaving circles to help break down barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Useful information:
First Nations weaving, story and culture
In this creative weaving workshop, students learn about First Nation traditions from Australia’s first STEM knowledge makers. Reflecting upon the importance of weaving and how Aboriginal people have used this craft to weave important things for their people to source food and provide for family, students learn different weaving techniques and how all mobs across Australia use similar ways of weaving.
First Nations weaving is a traditional practice of purposeful and sustainable making. Aboriginal people use natural materials such as long grasses, gumnuts, flowers and leaves to weave baskets for gathering food and other materials, as coolamons to carry babies or place ochres in for painting in ceremony, as well as for decorative reasons for performance, corroboree and to express their identity.
In this way, students will connect with a living First Nations practice, on the traditional lands known as Tubowgule, a site renown for corrobboree, song and dance well before the Sydney Opera House building was built.
In this workshop students will:
- Explore First Nations identity and cultural practices throughout time, and their relationship to nature, place and materials.
- Learn about First Nations agricultural and sustainable practices such as weaving and other tool-making techniques.
- Create woven bracelets, dilly bags and wearable pieces using natural fibres, seeds, leaves and flowers.
Sydney Opera House presents Ngumpie Weaving led by Barkindtji, Maraura, Yorta Yorta and Duduroa artist Tegan Murdock
Thank you to The Greatorex Fund for enabling the development of STEAM creative learning programs in the Centre for Creativity
Gallery
Photo credit: Teniola Komolafe and Jaimi Joy
Gallery
About the artist
Tegan Murdock, Barkindtji, Maraura, Yorta Yorta, Duduroa woman
“My beautiful Mum Margaret taught me to weave several years ago. I started weaving earrings and then kept creating new pieces as the inspiration came to me. I now create jewellery and wall pieces as well as teach others to weave in face to face and online workshops, school visits and corporate staff development days.
I want my weaving circles to help break down barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. I hope I can help educate and contribute to a more peaceful world where our children can all walk as one, hand in hand, no matter their skin colour or cultural identity.
Ngumpie in Barkindtji means ‘Beautiful’ – this is what my Nanna Shirl used to call me when I was younger. I wanted to keep this shining through my work.”
Plan your visit
Venue information
Please ensure that your group arrives at the venue 30 minutes prior to the performance start time. Latecomers may only be admitted to a performance during a suitable break, and in some cases, may be excluded. Please call the Creative Learning team on 02 9250 7770 to notify us if you are running late.
Your safety and security is paramount to us during your visit to the Opera House. Therefore, all items larger than the dimensions of a standard A4 piece of paper must be checked in to the cloakroom. As they have limited space, we ask that teachers and students do not bring large bags/backpacks to the performance. Some bag trolleys may be available for your school in the Western Foyers. Please ensure that any prohibited items are left at home (e.g. scissors).
Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch and snacks, however you’ll find food and drinks outlets on the lower level of the concourse.
Please note food and drink are permitted inside the foyers, but only bottled water in the venues.
We recommend that students take their meal breaks on the Monumental Steps/Forecourt or in the Botanic Gardens immediately adjacent the SOH precinct. In inclement weather, there is ample room to take breaks underneath the Monumental Steps. In situations of particularly poor weather, breaks can be had in the Western Foyer. We ask that you please limit this to an as needed basis to avoid foyer congestion for other members of the General Public. There are several food and beverage options on site, as well as food and beverage options close by in Circular Quay.
Frequently asked questions
Please ensure that your group arrives at the venue 30 minutes prior to the performance start time.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as possible, but please be aware that some events have lock out periods where late comers cannot be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. Occasionally this is not until the interval, and in some instances late comers won’t be admitted at all.
Yes, use this information to prepare a risk assessment and risk management plan. Teachers undertaking a risk assessment and risk management plan should be aware that Sydney Opera House cannot complete the risk assessment for them.
Food and drink are permitted inside the foyers, but not in the venues.
Please contact our Creative Learning Ticketing Specialists on 02 9250 7770 as soon as possible to advise if your group can no longer attend.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy.
The Opera House has also developed a Child-friendly Code of Conduct to engage with our youngest visitors.
Getting here
We are a 15-minute walk from Circular Quay, the closest station for public transport via train, bus and ferry. To view timetable information and ensure your public transport needs can be met, please check the Transport NSW website.
Buses and coaches can’t park onsite at Sydney Opera House. Large buses must disembark passengers on Macquarie Street in the allocated drop off zone. Please contact City of Sydney to confirm bus and coach set down areas. We recommend allowing an additional 10 minutes for walking from Macquarie Street.
Excursions at the Opera House
A Day Out at the House
Offer your students to an unforgettable day out at the Sydney Opera House with our new curated program. Students can attend a Creative Learning Performance or Workshop onsite accompanied by a Walking Tour of our internationally renowned performing arts centre, all in time to back by the final school bell.
Arts Assist
Does your School need financial assistance to attend a Sydney Opera House excursion?
Schools Tour
Filled with stories that demonstrate the power of creativity, students join a guided tour to learn how architect Jørn Utzon created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of 20th century architecture.
