National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week

National Sorry Day is held each year on 26th May and National Reconciliation Week will commence this Monday 27th May, until 3rd June. At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. It is about coming together and acknowledging the past so that we can look forward to a brighter future. This year's National Reconciliation Week theme is “Now More Than Ever”, a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will - and must - continue.

This week at Essendon North Primary School, we have begun inquiring into National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week, with students engaging in a variety of authentic and purposeful learning experiences to extend their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and achievements. 

Today at our assembly we recognised the significance of National Sorry Day, and our week of learning will conclude next Friday with a whole school morning assembly at 8:50am on Friday 31st May, including a special performance honouring Reconciliation Australia's call for singers across the country to come together in song for National Reconciliation Week 2024.

At ENPS we strive to inform and inspire the next generation to engage in reconciliation and strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other cultures. We are proud to be an inclusive, collaborative and intercultural school community that values diversity and strives on building strong and trusting relationships.

Warm regards,

Sharon McWhinney, Louise Ryan, Lana Harris, Rhys McIntosh and Kate Barletta

Intercultural Coordinator and Marrung Champions