Years 3/4   

Reconciliation Week 

In Year 3/4, Reconciliation Week is a time to learn about and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. During Reconciliation Week, students explored ways to show respect, work together, and help make Australia a fair and kind place for all.

Mentor Texts 

Throughout the week, we read books, watched videos, and listened to songs from an Indigenous perspective, including Somebody’s Land, Welcome to Country, Bunjil the Eagle, and The Children Came Back. We explored how the images and text work together to teach us the importance of respecting and caring for Country. We also learnt Indigenous words, such as Wominjeka, which means "welcome." In our discussions, we explored themes of connection and belonging, and considered how we can make all people feel safe, included, and valued at our school. These experiences deepened our understanding of Indigenous culture and the importance of reconciliation.

Acknowledgment of Country  

During Reconciliation Week,  students learned about the important difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country. They discovered that a Welcome to Country is a formal ceremony delivered by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Elder to welcome people onto the land, while an Acknowledgement of Country can be spoken by anyone to show respect for the Traditional Custodians of the land. 

After learning about these practices, students were encouraged to reflect on their own connection to the land where they live, learn, and play. Using their personal experiences, they each created their own Acknowledgement of Country, expressing gratitude for the environment, respect for Aboriginal culture, and a growing understanding of history. The activity helped them connect more deeply to Country and appreciate its ongoing cultural significance.

Student writing

"We acknowledge the kubin (men) and badjury (women) before us, to remember the past, as we walk into the future."  

Lachie Year 3

"I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we gather and play. I will respect everyone here, and all those that will be here." 

Alessandra Year 4

Snapshot Biographies 

After reading Our Home, Our Heartbeat by Aboriginal Australian rapper Adam Briggs, our Year 3/4 students were inspired to learn more about the incredible people featured in the story. Each student selected a famous Aboriginal Australian from the book to research and created a biography snapshot of their life.

As a class, we explored why we think Briggs wrote the story and how it shows his pride in culture and heritage. Students shared who stood out to them and why, sparking rich conversations about resilience, talent and identity. We recognised the individuals in the book as fantastic role models for the Aboriginal Australian community and beyond.

In their research, students gathered "must know," "nice to know," and "other" facts, then organised their information into clear paragraphs under headings like Early Life, Career and Achievements. This project helped deepen their understanding of Aboriginal history and culture while developing their writing and research skills.

Kind Regards,

The Middle School Team

Rhiannon Dalman, Catie Mytton, Michael Neal, Kim Ng & Tom Perkin.