Dr Carmel McGrath

National Reconciliation Week 26 May – 3 June

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2025 is Bridging Now to Next.

The theme reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future – learning from the past to look ahead and push forward together on the reconciliation journey.

The 2025 artwork has been created by Kalkadoon woman, Bree Buttenshaw, and features native plants known for regenerating and thriving, to symbolise strength, growth and commitment to walking together.

National Reconciliation Week is held from 27 May – 3 June every year, and is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and recommit to reconciliation and First Nations justice.

Thank you to Ms Andrews for organising learning activities focusing on the significance of reconciliation and the historical events of this week.  During Thursday afternoon Peer Support session and at this week’s assembly, student leaders will facilitate and share culturally and age-appropriate materials for fellow students.  A big thanks to Ms Andrews for developing materials and supporting our student leaders for these activities.

National Sorry Day is Monday 26 May; a day which acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture. National Reconciliation Week celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.

These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

27 May 1967 - On this day, Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census.

3 June 1992 - On this day, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) and leading to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This decision paved the way for Native Title.

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.

Gala Days

Unfortunately, due to wet weather and the impact on field conditions, last Friday’s sports Gala Day was cancelled. As the Track & Field Day is scheduled for 13 June, Gala Day will run for the next two weeks only. Payments for the third week will be credited to Term 4 Gala Day invoices. Thank you to Kent Rainbow and the teachers for organising team training and the interschool competition.

P&C AGM

Thank you to our 2024/25 P&C executive for their positive energy and enthusiasm for the many and varied fundraisers and other supports and involvement throughout this time. I am incredibly grateful to the executive members for their support and guidance in school community consultation and for their willingness to work so seamlessly with the school on our Strategic Planning. It makes such a difference to what is able to be achieved – Congratulations to our 24/25 P&C executive President Rachael Frizzo, Treasurer Dahna Gallantree and Secretary Katharine Lloyd. 

On Monday night we welcomed in our newly elected 2025/26 year Executive:

President - Rachael Frizzo

Vice President - Dahna Gallantree & Sally Falkinder

Treasurer - Baden Marino-Hall

Secretary - Katharine Lloyd 

Book Fair

Huge thanks to our P&C and all the parents who volunteered to help organise and staff this year’s Book Fair.  There was a lot of activities throughout the week in the library and students enjoyed choosing their new books.  Thank you to all the parents who attended before and after school with their children. 

Upcoming Events

• Gala Days – 28 (cancelled), 30 May and 06 June 
• Term 2 Lockdown drill week 3 (completed) and Evacuation week 4 (completed)
• P&C Trivia Night Saturday 14th June
• Last Day Term 2 Friday 27 June