Dear parents and families,

This week marked National Sorry Day and the beginning of Reconciliation Week 2021.

Observed annually on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’. Our Leaders of Faith led a prayer in recognition of this important day.

National Reconciliation Week 2021 began yesterday, 27 May. As a school community, we took part in launching National Reconciliation Week 2021 by taking part in the National Acknowledgement of Country. This involved posting our own Acknowledgement of Country to our school Facebook page and gathering as a school community yesterday morning to share our Acknowledgement of Country.

The theme of Reconciliation Week 2021, is More Than Words. Reconciliation Takes Action.

Yesterday, we spoke to our students about the importance of building our knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal histories, cultures and traditions and challenged them to engage in the activities that are planned over the next week by listening and asking questions so that they learn more about Aboriginal histories, cultures and traditions. 

After our Acknowledgement of Country yesterday, our Yr 6 Leaders of Learning facilitated Yarning Circles in each of the classrooms to help our students reflect on and understand Reconciliation and deepen their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal histories, cultures and traditions. It was a privilege to be a part of these yarning circles and witness the profound and compassionate responses of our students.

Throughout next week, our students will engage with Indigenous texts, explore the meaning of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags, play Indigenous games, participate in Yarning Circles to develop their understanding of reconciliation and identify ‘actions’ they can take to promote reconciliation in our community.

Kaylene Duffin
Principal