Sorry Day/Reconciliation Week
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Bulli 
This year National Reconciliation Week began with our acknowledgement of Sorry Day at Monday morning assembly. Throughout the week classes participated in a number of different learning activities integrated into discussions, Writing, Maths, Art and even PE!
The week ended with a whole school liturgy supported by our students in the colours of the Aboriginal flag. Many thanks go to the students who participated in the procession and readings
Kindergarten
Kindergarten discovered the meaning behind different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander symbols. We explored how they would look on a map. Students then had the opportunity to create the symbols out of playdough.
As part of National Reconciliation Week, KJ students participated in a range of meaningful activities to develop an awareness of the purpose and importance. Students explored the Aboriginal flag and what the colours symbolise. Students also created hearts and wristbands that offered them a hands-on way to connect with this year’s theme - Bridging Now to Next.
Year 1
As part of National Reconciliation Week, Yr 1 students participated in a range of meaningful activities that acknowledged different ways of ‘knowing’ and ‘being’. The students listened to a reading of Colours of Australia, and watched Behind the News: Sorry Day, which helped spark deep class discussions about truth, respect, and connection to Country. Students also learned the number 10 in Dharawal language, integrating this with their current focus on number bonds to 10 in Mathematics.
Year 2
Year 2 participated in a variety of activities to acknowledge National Reconciliation Week. Throughout the week, we explored traditional Dreaming stories and discussed the significance of the Dreamtime. During sport, we played traditional Aboriginal games such as ‘Emu’ and ‘Munhanganing’ (Gecko). On Friday, we learned about traditional Aboriginal art and symbols, then used this knowledge to create our own wooden bookmarks.
Year 3
To acknowledge Sorry Day Yr 3 listened to Archie Roach’s song “Took the Children Away” shared by Elka. They also made some Sorry Day bookmarks for their classroom.
Year 4
Year 4 listened to Circles of Life by Australian author Gregg Dreise and then spent time peacefully reflecting through art work.
Year 5
Year 5 acknowledged Sorry Day by watching Kevin Rudd’s 2008 apology speech about the stolen generation. Carter and Ashby from Year 5 explained how they felt empathy for the Aboriginal people and proud that Kevin Rudd had done the right thing.
Carter is now doing some additional reading of some Aboriginal picture books as inspiration for his Write on Competition.
Year 6
They Took Them Away
They took them away
From their homes
Family
There childhood ruined
Traumatised forever
Never knowing who they could trust
One bright day
Some of the children came back
Back to there family
Back to their homes
They came back
We are sorry
Sorry for our actions
Sorry for the pain
We are sorry
By Izzy Yr 6