Jingi Walla – Hello
Last Thursday, 26 May, was National Sorry Day. At St Joeys we remember and acknowledge 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’.
On this day it is a time to remember the past policies of forced child removal, and reflect on the sad and painful stories of the Stolen Generations. It is a time to recognise the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the power of saying Sorry.
We as a school community had an assembly presentation by Indigenous students from each year level and also took time in AWC on Thursday for a prayer and a moment of reflection.
This week we celebrate National Reconciliation Week. The theme for 2022, “Be Brave. Make Change” is a challenge to individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians. National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
This year’s theme builds on the 2021 theme. This year we are asked to make change, beginning with brave actions in our daily lives – where we live, work, play and socialise. In the library this week our students and staff are invited to place a leaf on our Reconciliation tree as a symbol of our collective effort as a school community to celebrate the respectful connections we have with each other and our wider community.
We also look forward to taking some students on a Reconciliation connection walk to Fingal headland (Booningbah) later in the year.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Bugalwan – Beautiful blessings
Mrs Lexene Busbridge
Indigenous Education Worker