From the Student Leaders
National Sorry Day
This year, our school recognised National Reconciliation Week through a range of meaningful activities designed to encourage reflection, learning and unity within our community.
A highlight was the student-led Webex presentation for National Sorry Day on the 26th of May.
The Webex marked the 29th anniversary of the tabling of the 'Bringing Them Home' report, as well as the 18th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations and allowed the school to highlight the importance of this year’s national theme, ‘From Sorry to Action’ and the theme of Reconciliation Week ‘All In’. These themes reflect expectations that governments take urgent steps to create tangible, measurable change within survivors’ lifetimes, as well as a shared commitment by all Australians to uplift our Indigenous peers and to continue the fight for adequate reconciliation.
We also hosted a lunchtime event in the Theatrette, where students had the opportunity to discuss the significance of National Sorry Day and reflect on the importance of reconciliation within Australia. As part of the event, students participated in a collaborative artistic activity that promoted unity through illustration and celebrated diversity through collective effort. The activity, which involved making a large poster centred on ‘HOME’, encouraged students to share their perspectives creatively while contributing to a meaningful display of inclusion and respect.
Together, these activities encouraged meaningful reflection on reconciliation and strengthened a sense of unity and inclusion within the school community, with many students getting involved.
Written by
Anna Dona-Doni (Year 12 Leader) and Joseph Thorsen (School Captain), in conjunction with Usty Dang and Tian Pham (Year 11 Leaders)
Volunteer Week - Food Drive
For national volunteer week our junior and senior school leadership students organised a school-wide food drive to promote awareness of food insecurity and highlight the importance of volunteer work in our local community.
Our donations of non-perishable food items, household necessities and personal hygiene were donated to Helping Hands food pantry located in Airport West. There was outstanding involvement from our school community including students, staff and families, with over 625 items donated.
To reward each teams’ outstanding efforts and promote competition for the greater good of our community, a free dress day was awarded to the team who gave the most items. It was a close race with Stirling holding a steadfast lead for a week and half, but in the final days each team gave it their all giving the results below:
The final standings were:
🥇 Chisholm – 135 items
🥈 Stirling – 130 items
🥉 Argyll – 110 items
4️⃣ Napier – 100 items
5️⃣ Dunlop – 90 items
6️⃣ Burnet – 60 items
Our donation was received with open arms from the team at Helping Hands including an ex-Strathmore Secondary student (Samuel Pudge - picture attached). Sam was astounded and proud of our efforts as a school but as a former Burnet student slightly disappointed at their final standing on the podium.
Congratulations to Chisholm for their amazing efforts and thank you to all who have contributed.
Written by Zach Lebdeh and Sienna Duhan (Junior School Leadership Council Members)
