Wellbeing & Culture
The National Reconciliation Week theme this year is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. It urges all Australians to use their power, their words, and their voice to create a better and more just Australia for all of us.
What is National Reconciliation Week?
National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June every year – 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.
As Isaiah Firebrace writes in his children’s book Come, Together - Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know about the First Peoples, ‘it is about equality, acceptance, peace, and love and strengthening the bonds between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.’
At CHPS we pride ourselves on not only acknowledging our First Nations Peoples, but also celebrating the rich culture they have brought to Australia for over 60,000 years.
There have been many activities around the school to honour both Sorry Day (26th May) and Reconciliation Week.
Maroondah City Council has teamed up with The Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place Men’s Group to create a display for Reconciliation Week that will hang in the ArtSpace. Students from schools within the municipality were asked to answer the question, “What does Reconciliation Mean to you?" and create an art piece on a gum leaf image. The leaves will then be attached to the large canvas trees that have been painted by the Men’s Group for display. A number of year levels have participated in this art activity and we will have our school represented in the display.
To celebrate Reconciliation Week Maroondah City Council in partnership with Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place (MMIGP), Eastern Regional Libraries (Realm) and the Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation are holding a public event on Friday 2 June, 10am to 12pm in Ringwood Town Square. We are excited to have Kutcha Edwards, Yeng Gali Mullum Choir and Eastwood Primary School Choir performing. This event will be also be launching two exciting art projects: “From our Elders” video installation project created by Daen Sansbury Smith and MMIGP artist Amanda Wrights artwork on the Realm windows featuring Elder Aunty Irene Norman and Aunty Daphne Milward.
Link below with the information on the event if you would like to attend, or head over to see the work on display. .
Claudia Michielin - Visual Arts Teacher and Marrung Lead