Welcome to week 5! We have been able to go live with our Monday Morning Praise and Chapels since week 4 due to the relaxation of the COVID restrictions. For our Reception students and our newly enrolled students, this was their first ever experience of a live whole school assembly. It has also been the first time our Year 6 student leaders have been able to lead our Monday Morning Praise assemblies.

The student leadership programme for the Year 5 and Year 6 students has been well underway for some time this year. The Student Representative Council (SRC) have planned their first whole school fund raiser by organising a Pyjama Day/Casual Day on Thursday, 23rd June (Week 8). Students can choose to wear either their pyjamas to school or casual clothing if they are not inclined to wear pyjamas to school. They will need to bring sensible shoes to wear while out at recess and lunch or at PE lessons, but are allowed to bring their slippers in to wear in class. The SRC decided that the money will be donated to our sister school, House of Hope in Indonesia. It is wonderful to see our students showing care for others in need.

This week is National Reconciliation Week, which is an opportunity for every Australian to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to unpack what it means to achieving, and contributing to, reconciliation in our country. The theme for Reconciliation Week is "Be Brave. Make Change." The challenge to all Australians - individuals, families, communities, organisations and government - is to be brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can make change for the benefits of all Australians.

Some of our Year 3 Students will share at our Chapel services this week to celebrate National Reconciliation Week and pray for our school.

The library team are also introducing a “Be brave and make change” creative art or writing competition, open to all year levels. During reconciliation week we are made aware of how we are to be with one another, showing kindness and love to everyone of different cultures and backgrounds. Over this week we especially want to recognise and celebrate our indigenous families and those in our community who are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. We want to acknowledge that our future together is bright and that we want to respect our nation’s first peoples, acknowledge our shared history and how we can contribute to reconciliation.

The children who enter will be thinking about how to be brave and speak up for respect, care and love of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples. Their piece might like to show how we can make changes to attitudes, how we can acknowledge indigenous achievements, and how we can celebrate successful future together will respect and care. Children will receive the details in class this week.

Local libraries have made some great children’s books available to talk about what National Reconciliation week means, and what it means to embrace being brave and making change. Some titles you may wish to explore are:

“Somebody’s Land” written by Adam Goodes & Ellie Laing
A beautifully illustrated book to help start a conversation about the importance of acknowledging country and understanding about the traditional custodians of the lands we now call Australia. 

“Hello and Welcome” written by Gregg Dreise
An eye-catching and colourful celebration of Indigenous culture, Elders and future generations. This story shares words of thanks, respect and represents an Australia of all colours living together in harmony. 

“Colours of Australia” written by Bronwyn Bancroft
Stunning illustrations take young readers on a journey through the rainbow of Australia’s landscape. A perfect bedtime story created by Djanbun clan member and talented artist Bronwyn Bancroft. 

I do wish you and your families a safe and healthy week.

God bless you,

Deb Clifford

Deputy Principal