Next week is National Reconciliation Week 27th May - 3rd June, and the College will be commemorating this important event on the Australian calendar in a number of ways.

WHAT IS NRW?

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 and was supported by Australia's major faith communities.  Three years later the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia's first NRW.  In 2000, approximately 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge to show their support for reconciliation.  Here is a compilation clip of the moment in History:

NRW actually starts on Wednesday of next week but we will be marking the event at the Kingston Campus on Sorry Day, Tuesday, 26th May.  Here is a link to an explanation of Sorry Day:

NRW starts on Wednesday 27th because that is the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when Aboriginal people were finally included in the census as Australian citizens for the first time. The week also commemorates the anniversary of the High Court Mabo decision. This year's NRW theme is 'In This Together'.

WHY IS RECONCILIATION SO IMPORTANT?

'First Nations' people have lived here for 50,000+ years. On this island we call Tasmania and home, the palawa survived two ice ages... and were flourishing in well established societies when the British arrived in the early 1800's. Colonisation caused complete dispossession of their homelands and resources, disease and war. With the death of Truganini in 1876 it was thought...and widely taught...that all Tasmanian Aboriginal people were extinct. That is NOT the case! We have approximately 100 students at St Aloysius Catholic College who are of Aboriginal descent, many of them related to Fanny Cochrane Smith. National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Our nation's past is reflected in the present, and will continue to play out in the future unless we heal historical wounds. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have long called for a comprehensive process of truth telling about Australia's colonial history. Whether you are engaging in challenging conversations or unlearning and relearning what you know, this journey requires all of us to walk together with courage.

HOW ARE WE COMMEMORATING NRW?

We think the best way for children to engage with the idea of reconciliation is for them to be given opportunities to appreciate how rich and dynamic Aboriginal culture is. All staff and students are invited to wear free dress of Aboriginal colours and themes as a sign of respect for Aboriginal culture. At Kingston Campus this will be on Tuesday 26th May. At Huntingfield Campus this will be on Thursday 28th May. More information can be found in the attached flyer:

Everyone will also be given the opportunity to 'plant' a 'hand' as part of the 'Sea of Hands' project. This activity is not compulsory but provides everyone with an opportunity to show their respect and willingness to engage in a simple act of reconciliation. 

Next week at the Kingston Campus, Kinder students will learn a Dreaming story about the Tasmanian Devil and build bush shelters together. Prep students will also learn a Tasmanian Dreaming story. Grade 1, 2 and 3 students will engage in Aboriginal art activities and Grade 4 students will learn about Truganini and many other significant Aboriginal people. Huntingfield students will be given opportunities to learn more about reconciliation and the 1967 referendum. Daily prayers will focus on the theme of reconciliation.