What happened this week?
National Simultaneous Story Time
On Wednesday, we took part in this amazing annual event for another year. We listened to an author read their story online to over 21,000 schools around the world. We all enjoyed the story of the Bowerbird from Aura Parker, at the same time!
Aura explained some facts about ‘bowerbirds’ and drew one for us all. She also spoke about the bower surrounding her, made with blue items, similar to the birds. Afterwards, some of the senior students who researched bowerbirds, during library time, presented their information to the whole school. We ended the session with children working with partners to colour a bowerbird and items, as it was in the book.
Jump Rope for the Heart
On Wednesday afternoon, we skipped more! This was our special day to show off our skills and all students, teachers, parents and carers who attended definitely displayed their tricks with skipping. Some of these action shots don’t show the real effort, however you can notice there was more than just jumping, with some dance moves too! Mrs Tatterson loved the nutbush too!
Well done to our fundraiser champions! By the time they received their certificates, some of them had already increased their fundraising already!!
Keep it up, you have until the end of the term to keep jumping, and raise more funds!
Reconciliation Week - Sorry Day
Yesterday, all students learnt more about what Reconciliation means and why we have a Sorry Day in Australia. They were all able to ask questions and give their ideas when discussing the Stolen Generations. They learnt the difference between a ‘Welcome to Country’ and an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’. They also learnt what Country means to many and all. From this, we designed a new Acknowledgment of Country with a group of junior students, and this is what came out of it: “We would like to acknowledge the Gunai-Kurnai lands; the waters, the trees and the skies; the Braiakaulung people and all Australians who care for Country”.
We were able to show empathy and respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and what they experienced. We also understand that Sorry Day is not about individuals apologising, but rather understanding the past and come together to help with the healing process.
To quote one student, ‘one way to heal would be to keep talking about it so everyone knows and it doesn’t happen again’. Another student said that we need to unite to help healing. All very good points and I hope they will keep learning more about it, and we will all learn with them.
Sorry Day is on Sunday 26th May.
