Year 5

Year 5 have been learning about strategies they could use to promote positive self talk when they feel overwhelmed, stressed or uncertain. They have learnt about how their own inner dialogue can transform how they handle challenging situations and how they view themselves. Year 5 created their own mantras and made posters to remind them that they can turn negative self talk into positive and overcome difficulties. Thank you to Mr Beau who organised and ran this workshop for us. We greatly appreciate your expertise in this area!

Year 6

In Year 6, we have been learning about the art of figurative language and how it creates impact in poetry. We have been reading and unpacking Sister Heart, a verse novel about the experiences of the Stolen Generations. This book and its themes have had a powerful impact on us all.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Shraddha Thakur

Truthfully, when reading Sister Heart, I feel pure rage, anger & disgust by the events occurring in the book. What’s even more heart-breaking is the fact that this happened in real life to innocent children. Annie’s story is TRULY disturbing and I feel like this book has encouraged and inspired me to make a change in the world.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Sasha Rowden

After reading Sister Heart, I feel flat, because now I want to go back in time 100 years ago, fix all the terrible things that have happened, and free all the children that were stolen from their families. I accidentally judged a book by its cover, but now I regret it. Now I have to admit that I didn't have a strong understanding of the Stolen Generation. I didn’t realise it was so hard for children to live like that at the time. Officially heart broken…

Sister Heart Reflection

By Emily Hart

During the process of reading Sister Heart, I have felt a mixture of disgust and heartbreak. I’ve felt manipulated, discouraged, and full of grief all at once. These emotions come from the horrible, unimaginable events that take place in the book. I simply can’t understand how people could be so cruel to young children - to take them away from their families, to neglect them, and then have the audacity to say they were doing the right thing.

The behaviour and events in this novel are honestly appalling. The idea that children had to take responsibility for themselves is bewildering, to the point where it makes my skin crawl.

Overall, I’m left feeling discouraged, disgusted, and completely unsettled. I also feel manipulated by the fact that our Government, the institution we trust, could make such a harmful and heartbreaking decision.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Charlie Slater

Before Sister Heart, I didn’t think much of poetry. But when I opened that book, I was immersed in a cloud of pain and grief. I didn’t know a lot about the Stolen Generations, but I have learned to hate the government policies that were put in place. The disturbing conditions that the children were kept in has horrified me. But after all that, I am inspired by “Annie,” because she is a symbol of hope, even in the most devastating of times.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Nathaniel

After reading Sister Heart, I am devastated to learn that Aboriginal children were taken away from their families and Communities. I feel confused and saddened that they were made to cut their hair and were forced to work from such a young age. I also find it disturbing that they were not allowed to speak their own languages and had to speak English instead. Reading this book has given me a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the experiences of the Stolen Generations.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Miyah Saliba

Sister Heart, a heart-breaking verse novel, describes the devastation that Aboriginals went through, from long sleepless nights, to feeling empty, to knowing family is gone… forever. Before I started reading Sister Heart, I judged a book by its cover and thought it was going to be the most boring, uninteresting and useless book ever. Now I realise how horrific, disturbing and devastating those times were. I could honestly cry. I feel so broken and flat, because of the way the Stolen Generation were treated.

Sister Heart reflection

By Jacinta Paget

The first time we read Sister Heart, I felt really heartbroken because Annie got taken away from her family and got sent to this school where only Aboriginal children were. After hearing most of the story now, I feel devastated for Annie, especially hearing she had her hair shaved off and people bullying her because she was now bald. It’s also depressing how Annie feels empty inside and she has no hope of meeting her family again.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Sofia Loghdey

Sister Heart is a heartbreaking book which I wish was never reality. I can’t believe something like this story happened in our own country. Although this verse novel is devastating, it grabs my attention and I'm intrigued to see what happens next! I hope Annie ends up meeting her family again and finds happiness.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Noah Sarraf

Empty. Distressed. Heartbroken. Sister Heart is a devastating book, a rollercoaster of emotions. Before I started reading this verse novel, I thought it wouldn’t be exciting. But as I started reading it, my heart was like an ocean of emotions! I had no idea that the Stolen Generation was as horrible as it really was. Children were taken away, to what was thought as a “better place”, but really was like a jail! I felt distressed because of how poorly the children were treated. This book made my heart flip upside down due to all the heartbreaking things they did to these helpless children. Taking them to work at the young age of 14, getting beaten for laughing, being sick and helping other children as though they were their parents. How hard it would’ve been to live in that situation.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Oleksii

Sister Heart is a one of a kind, heartbreaking book.I honestly was not expecting much from this book. I thought: Ugh another term, another boring book to read. But no, the book evokes so many emotions in the reader. A government, who thought they were doing the right thing, ended up making unacceptable decisions for Aboriginal children, who will be scared for the rest of their lives. I am really enjoying this novel, even if it is utterly devastating.

Sister Heart Refection

By Gisele Hardy

Sister Heart is a heart breaking and devastating novel that we have started reading. When we just started reading this book, I thought that it would just be a normal, ordinary book. But no, I was wrong. Sister Heart makes you understand what happened, not so long ago, to young Aboriginal people in the Stolen Generation. I can't believe that young Aboriginal people were stolen from their valuable family members. It makes me feel disgusted and empty to know about what Annie has been put through. She refuses to eat, talk and even gets her head shaved. This is a story of an utter devastation.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Panos Koumoukelis

Sister Heart, a verse novel, shows the life of an Aboriginal girl, taken away from her family following laws in place from the Australian government. Most people that read this book feel heart broken, flat, empty and bare, but I am interested by this novel's themes. Yes I do feel disgusted by the things done in the past, but it still makes me want to learn more. Some events are too depressing to read. But this topic interests me. So I thank Sister Heart for educating me on events I never knew happened.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Frenchie Rugendyke

Empty. Distressed. Heartbroken. Sister Heart is a devastating book, a rollercoaster of emotions. Before I started reading this verse novel, I thought it wouldn’t be exciting. But as I started reading it, my heart was like an ocean of emotions! I had no idea that the Stolen Generation was as horrible as it really was. Children were taken away, to what was thought as a “better place”, but really was like a jail! I feel distressed because of how poorly the children were treated. This book made my heart flip upside down due to all the heartbreaking things they did to these helpless children. Taking them to work at the young age of 14, getting beaten for laughing, being sick and helping other children as though they were their parents. How hard it would’ve been to live in that situation.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Elka Killingbeck

Heartbroken. Disbelief. Empty. This story is a great book filled with emotions about the devastating story of an Aboriginal girl called Annie. It makes the reader stop and think deeply about how such actions could be done to small children. I highly recommend you read this book.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Lucia Cario

Before reading Sister Heart, I honestly thought it would be a boring book about sisters learning to get along and love each other. But once I started reading Sister Heart, I couldn't stop. It is very engaging, but also utterly heart breaking. I feel like the characters have been so manipulated and left so empty, especially Annie, even though she is brand new to the institution.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Isabella McLennan

Sister Heart, a heart breaking verse novel, is a story which is highly interesting. It makes me feel emotional, empty and even disgusted. This book tells the story of a little girl who was a part of the depressing and devastating Stolen Generation, with no one but herself to care for her. I highly recommend this book.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Shraddha Thakur

Truthfully, when reading Sister Heart, I feel pure rage, anger & disgust by the events occurring in the book. What’s even more heart-breaking is the fact that this happened in real life to innocent children. Annie’s story is TRULY disturbing and I feel like this book has encouraged and inspired me to make a change in the world.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Sasha Rowden

After reading Sister Heart, I feel flat, because now I want to go back in time 100 years ago, fix all the terrible things that have happened, and free all the children that were stolen from their families. I accidentally judged a book by its cover, but now I regret it. Now I have to admit that I didn't have a strong understanding of the Stolen Generation. I didn’t realise it was so hard for children to live like that at the time. Officially heart broken…

Sister Heart Reflection

By Emily Hart

During the process of reading Sister Heart, I have felt a mixture of disgust and heartbreak. I’ve felt manipulated, discouraged, and full of grief all at once. These emotions come from the horrible, unimaginable events that take place in the book. I simply can’t understand how people could be so cruel to young children - to take them away from their families, to neglect them, and then have the audacity to say they were doing the right thing.

The behaviour and events in this novel are honestly appalling. The idea that children had to take responsibility for themselves is bewildering, to the point where it makes my skin crawl.

Overall, I’m left feeling discouraged, disgusted, and completely unsettled. I also feel manipulated by the fact that our Government, the institution we trust, could make such a harmful and heartbreaking decision.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Charlie Slater

Before Sister Heart, I didn’t think much of poetry. But when I opened that book, I was immersed in a cloud of pain and grief. I didn’t know a lot about the Stolen Generations, but I have learned to hate the government policies that were put in place. The disturbing conditions that the children were kept in has horrified me. But after all that, I am inspired by “Annie,” because she is a symbol of hope, even in the most devastating of times.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Nathaniel

After reading Sister Heart, I am devastated to learn that Aboriginal children were taken away from their families and Communities. I feel confused and saddened that they were made to cut their hair and were forced to work from such a young age. I also find it disturbing that they were not allowed to speak their own languages and had to speak English instead. Reading this book has given me a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the experiences of the Stolen Generations.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Miyah Saliba

Sister Heart, a heart-breaking verse novel, describes the devastation that Aboriginals went through, from long sleepless nights, to feeling empty, to knowing family is gone… forever. Before I started reading Sister Heart, I judged a book by its cover and thought it was going to be the most boring, uninteresting and useless book ever. Now I realise how horrific, disturbing and devastating those times were. I could honestly cry. I feel so broken and flat, because of the way the Stolen Generation were treated.

Sister Heart reflection

By Jacinta Paget

The first time we read Sister Heart, I felt really heartbroken because Annie got taken away from her family and got sent to this school where only Aboriginal children were. After hearing most of the story now, I feel devastated for Annie, especially hearing she had her hair shaved off and people bullying her because she was now bald. It’s also depressing how Annie feels empty inside and she has no hope of meeting her family again.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Sofia Loghdey

Sister Heart is a heartbreaking book which I wish was never reality. I can’t believe something like this story happened in our own country. Although this verse novel is devastating, it grabs my attention and I'm intrigued to see what happens next! I hope Annie ends up meeting her family again and finds happiness.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Noah Sarraf

Empty. Distressed. Heartbroken. Sister Heart is a devastating book, a rollercoaster of emotions. Before I started reading this verse novel, I thought it wouldn’t be exciting. But as I started reading it, my heart was like an ocean of emotions! I had no idea that the Stolen Generation was as horrible as it really was. Children were taken away, to what was thought as a “better place”, but really was like a jail! I felt distressed because of how poorly the children were treated. This book made my heart flip upside down due to all the heartbreaking things they did to these helpless children. Taking them to work at the young age of 14, getting beaten for laughing, being sick and helping other children as though they were their parents. How hard it would’ve been to live in that situation.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Oleksii

Sister Heart is a one of a kind, heartbreaking book.I honestly was not expecting much from this book. I thought: Ugh another term, another boring book to read. But no, the book evokes so many emotions in the reader. A government, who thought they were doing the right thing, ended up making unacceptable decisions for Aboriginal children, who will be scared for the rest of their lives. I am really enjoying this novel, even if it is utterly devastating.

Sister Heart Refection

By Gisele Hardy

Sister Heart is a heart breaking and devastating novel that we have started reading. When we just started reading this book, I thought that it would just be a normal, ordinary book. But no, I was wrong. Sister Heart makes you understand what happened, not so long ago, to young Aboriginal people in the Stolen Generation. I can't believe that young Aboriginal people were stolen from their valuable family members. It makes me feel disgusted and empty to know about what Annie has been put through. She refuses to eat, talk and even gets her head shaved. This is a story of an utter devastation.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Panos Koumoukelis

Sister Heart, a verse novel, shows the life of an Aboriginal girl, taken away from her family following laws in place from the Australian government. Most people that read this book feel heart broken, flat, empty and bare, but I am interested by this novel's themes. Yes I do feel disgusted by the things done in the past, but it still makes me want to learn more. Some events are too depressing to read. But this topic interests me. So I thank Sister Heart for educating me on events I never knew happened.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Frenchie Rugendyke

Empty. Distressed. Heartbroken. Sister Heart is a devastating book, a rollercoaster of emotions. Before I started reading this verse novel, I thought it wouldn’t be exciting. But as I started reading it, my heart was like an ocean of emotions! I had no idea that the Stolen Generation was as horrible as it really was. Children were taken away, to what was thought as a “better place”, but really was like a jail! I feel distressed because of how poorly the children were treated. This book made my heart flip upside down due to all the heartbreaking things they did to these helpless children. Taking them to work at the young age of 14, getting beaten for laughing, being sick and helping other children as though they were their parents. How hard it would’ve been to live in that situation.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Elka Killingbeck

Heartbroken. Disbelief. Empty. This story is a great book filled with emotions about the devastating story of an Aboriginal girl called Annie. It makes the reader stop and think deeply about how such actions could be done to small children. I highly recommend you read this book.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Lucia Cario

Before reading Sister Heart, I honestly thought it would be a boring book about sisters learning to get along and love each other. But once I started reading Sister Heart, I couldn't stop. It is very engaging, but also utterly heart breaking. I feel like the characters have been so manipulated and left so empty, especially Annie, even though she is brand new to the institution.

Sister Heart Reflection

By Isabella McLennan

Sister Heart, a heart breaking verse novel, is a story which is highly interesting. It makes me feel emotional, empty and even disgusted. This book tells the story of a little girl who was a part of the depressing and devastating Stolen Generation, with no one but herself to care for her. I highly recommend this book.

Extracurricular Activities

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