Principal 

As part of our commitment to fostering understanding, empathy, and inclusivity within our school community, we celebrate and recognise many groups of students and members of our community that have often been victimised or experienced trauma because of their beliefs or circumstances. 

The following 3 events are scheduled for this term that are important to our school community. 

Sorry Day Acknowledgement – Friday the 24th of May

Reconciliation Week – commencing 27th of May

Sorry Day is observed in Australia as a day of recognition and remembrance for the mistreatment, trauma, and injustices inflicted upon Indigenous Australians, particularly the members of the Stolen Generations. The Stolen Generations refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families and communities by government policies and institutions, primarily between the late 1800s and the 1970s.

The reasons our school community observes Sorry Day include:

Acknowledgment of Historical Injustices: Sorry Day serves as a formal acknowledgment of the historical injustices committed against Indigenous Australians, including the forced removal of children from their families. It recognizes that these actions were harmful, unjust, and had long-lasting intergenerational impacts.

Reconciliation and Healing: By acknowledging past wrongs and expressing sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering caused, Sorry Day aims to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. It provides an opportunity for healing and for building bridges between communities.

Education and Awareness: Sorry Day plays a crucial role in educating the broader community about the dark chapters of Australia's history, including the policies and practices that led to the removal of Indigenous children. It raises awareness about the ongoing effects of intergenerational trauma and the importance of addressing these issues.

Commitment to Reconciliation: Observing Sorry Day demonstrates a commitment to reconciliation and to working towards a more just, equitable, and inclusive society. It encourages individuals and institutions to reflect on their roles in perpetuating or challenging systemic inequalities and to take meaningful action towards reconciliation.

Sorry Day is a day of reflection, recognition, and commitment to addressing the historical and ongoing injustices experienced by Indigenous Australians, with the ultimate goal of fostering healing, understanding, and reconciliation within Australian society. 

All students are encouraged to wear black, yellow and red on this day in support of the above messages.

IDAHOBIT Day – Friday the 17th of May

The Department of Education is committed to ensuring all Victorian government schools are respectful, safe and inclusive places of learning and work for all students, staff and members of our school communities.

As part of this commitment, the department supports all schools to join the many other schools and workplaces across the country to recognise International Day Against LGBTIQA+ Discrimination (IDAHOBIT) on Friday 17 May 2024.

This is to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, questioning and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people in our schools and the community, in accordance with Department of Education’s equal opportunity and anti-discrimination policy for students and employees, and the obligations in the Child Safe Standard 5 to uphold diversity and equity for everyone regardless of their background, characteristics or beliefs.

We believe it is important to teach our students about acceptance, respect and inclusivity. By doing so, we are not only creating a safe and supportive environment now, but also preparing students to thrive in a global society.

Our school will be marking IDAHOBIT by encouraging students to add some colour to their uniforms on this day. 

For more information, refer to the IDAHOBIT website. If you have any queries, you can contact the department by email: enquiries@education.vic.gov.au 

World Refugee Day – 20th of June

World Refugee Day is recognized globally to honour the courage, resilience, and contributions of refugees and to raise awareness about the millions of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or violence. 

There are several reasons why we recognise World Refugee Day:

Humanitarian Crisis Awareness: World Refugee Day draws attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis of forced displacement. It highlights the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) around the world, many of whom face dire conditions, including lack of access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare.

Solidarity and Support: By recognizing World Refugee Day, communities, organizations, and governments demonstrate solidarity with refugees and express support for their rights and well-being. It sends a powerful message of compassion and empathy to those who have been forced to flee their homes.

Education and Advocacy: World Refugee Day serves as an opportunity to educate the public about the root causes of forced displacement, including conflict, persecution, human rights abuses, and environmental factors such as climate change. It provides a platform for advocacy efforts aimed at addressing the underlying issues and promoting peace, justice, and human rights.

Celebration of Resilience and Contributions: World Refugee Day celebrates the resilience, strength, and contributions of refugees to their host communities and societies. It recognizes the skills, talents, and diversity that refugees bring and emphasizes their potential to positively contribute to social, cultural, and economic development.

Call for Action: Recognizing World Refugee Day also serves as a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to do more to support refugees and address the root causes of forced displacement. It encourages efforts to provide protection, assistance, and durable solutions for refugees, including resettlement, integration, and voluntary return.

World Refugee Day is recognised to raise awareness, show solidarity, celebrate resilience, and advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees worldwide, while also calling for collective action to address the root causes of forced displacement and promote peace, justice, and human rights for all.

We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with you and all our families to support everyone to be safe and thrive at our school.