Today five students had the opportunity to accompany Mrs Grados to Holy Trinity Church, Minto for the annual Sorry Day Service organized by the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. National Sorry Day is commemorated on 26 May every year. This day honours the members of the Stolen Generations and all that they endured and all that has been lost through the removal of generations of Aboriginal children because of the Forced Removal Policies of the past. 

This is a day when we focus on the impact that this forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children had not only on the children, but also their families and communities over many generations. Kevin Rudd’s 2008 apology raised awareness of the sufferings of Indigenous people and challenged us to take the road to reconciliation. Like any apology, saying sorry is only an important first step, what really matters, are the actions that follows.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on this continent, upwards of 60,000 years and are acknowledged as one of the oldest continuous cultures existing in the world today.  Actions which acknowledge our first people and the contribution they, and their rich culture, have made to our land and to our society is what is needed. Through these actions the Australian nation can say you are valued, we respect you and we want to heal the hurts that create division and discord. 

Next week, we will celebrate National Reconciliation Week. This special week is an opportunity to celebrate the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and all other Australians. Our students will be engaged in activities, information and stories that reinforce the theme 'voice of generations' and student reflections will be displayed around the school.

Every year, National Reconciliation Week is held between the same dates, 27 May to 3 June. The dates draw attention to significant historical events.

• 27 May 1967, marks the day when the referendum was passed allowing the Australian Government to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and to allow them to be recognised for the first time in the census count.
• 3 June 1992, marks the day the High Court of Australia delivered its landmark Mabo decision which legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship to the land. This relationship was recognised as existing prior to colonalisation and continues to the present day. This recognition paved the way for land rights called Native Title. 

As a vote on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament nears, Australia’s bishops have encouraged Catholics to read and discuss the Uluru Statement from the Heart – the document from which the Voice proposal emerged. The bishops have acknowledged this important moment in the history of the nation, and the opportunity it provides to help us to move towards a deep and just reconciliation. It also offers a mechanism to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. As such, the bishops have encouraged Catholic parishes, schools and agencies to arrange opportunities for people to read the document and consider their personal response to its key messages.

Read the full statement here.

Access the Uluru Statement here. 

We continue to pray that all members of our school and wider community can strive to live in a spirit of reconciliation each day. This cannot just be evidenced by words alone but by actions that promote equity, justice, respect, and unity.

Mrs Tina Murray

Principal

Important new document from Bishop Brian Mascord 

The Bishop of Wollongong, Most Rev. Brian Mascord DD, has published a new document on the nature and purpose of Catholic schools in our diocese. Titled Bearers of Christ’s Love — Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong, this document is the first of its type in our diocese since the 1970s. 

In it, Bishop Brian explores the purpose of Catholic schools as an expression of the Church experience, as well as the vital connection between schools, parents/carers, parishes, and the diocese itself.

Throughout the document, Bishop Brian reiterates:

• The significant role Catholic schools play in the evangelising mission of the Church and the nurturing of students’ faith.
• The commitment of Catholic educators to complement and support the educational rights and duties of parents as their child’s first educator.
• The essential requirement for Catholic schools to be places of educational excellence, where learning, wellbeing and actions of outreach and service are integrated in a holistic educational vision and practice. 
• That Catholic schools are places where those seeking a Catholic education are welcome, reflecting the diverse mix of cultures, nationalities and religious traditions that currently make up our school communities.

I encourage you to take the time to watch the short video from Bishop Brian and read this important document on the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong website.