This week we acknowledged National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. National Sorry Day is held on May 26 every year to recognise and acknowledge the Stolen Generation. Sorry Day provides the opportunity for students to make connections between their classroom learning about the histories, knowledges and experiences of our First Nations people. It is a time to recognise the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the power of saying Sorry. Sorry – a little word that we teach children every day.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 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.

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.

Friday was also Borobi Day. Borobi encourages everybody to use Indigenous languages. In Yugambeh language it can be as easy as using 2 words ‘Jingeri Jimbelung’ (hello friend/g’day mate), and we held a Yugambeh Word Hunt to help promote our local traditional language.

Well done to all teachers and students for implementing activities to highlight the significance of these dates for all Australians.