Student Wellbeing

National Reconciliation Week

What is National Reconciliation Week?

National Reconciliation Week commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Across the School

In years 1 and 2, students read the story Wilam: A Birrarung Story. In this picture storybook Yarra Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly along with Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy tells the Indigenous and geographical story of Melbourne’s beautiful Yarra River, from its source to its mouth; from its pre-history to the present day.

In years 3 and 4, students learnt about the three Flags of Australia; the National Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag. There are three official flags in Australia. The three flags of Australia include the Australian National Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag. The Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag were appointed flags of Australia in 1995, while a version of the Australian National Flag has been in use since 1901.

In years 5 and 6, students watched a Behind the News episode investigating the meaning and significance of Reconciliation Week and participated in class discussions. Following the discussion students worked in groups to create a poster explaining the importance of Reconciliation Week and what it means to them.