Across the Principal's Desk

A highlight for me since our last newsletter was our whole school assembly this week. One of our teachers, Mr Gary Watling, who is a proud descendent of the Wiradjuri People, led the launch of our new Beaufort Secondary College Acknowledgement of Country. Mr Watling explained the significance of Reconciliation Week and helped us to understand the importance of an Acknowledgement of Country. He spoke about how we all need to be open to learning about the true history this country. As uncomfortable as it might be, if we can acknowledge and recognise our shared history, then we can make positive steps towards reconciliation. Mr Watling also emphasized the importance of celebrating our First Nations Culture and its importance as the oldest surviving culture in the world.

Mr Watling worked with his Year 7 First Nations' Perspective class to create our own Acknowledgement of Country, which recognises the original custodians of this land and promotes awareness of the histories and cultures of First Nations people. Mr Watling and Ms Jacq Moore also connected with a local Wadawarrung artist, Jenna Oldaker, to design a poster that includes our Acknowledgement of Country, which will be framed and displayed in all of our classrooms and throughout our school.

The message and the meaning in Mr Watling's presentation was very powerful - we are committed to embedding First Nations perspectives across our school. The topics that we talk about in Reconciliation Week are not only important from May 27th through to June 3rd, they are crucial for our conversations through every other week of the year. Be brave, make change!