Art & 

Reconciliation Week

Celebrating National Reconciliation Week at Our School 

National Reconciliation Week is a significant event celebrated each year from May 27th to June 3rd. These dates hold great historical importance. On May 27th, we remember the 1967 referendum, where over 90% of Australians voted 'yes' to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the census and empower the Australian government to create laws for them. June 3rd marks the 1992 'native title' Mabo decision, which acknowledged the land rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples had rights over their land and that the British did not take them over during Colonisation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have faced numerous challenges and inequalities over the years, hindering their potential. National Reconciliation Week aims to foster respect, better relationships, and partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This year, our school embraced this mission wholeheartedly.

In celebration of National Reconciliation Week, all art classes focused on creating artworks inspired by Indigenous stories and art. Through engaging discussions, students learned about the significance of this week and the rich cultural heritage of Australia's Indigenous peoples.

The Year 6 students, in particular, were inspired by the story of Bunjil the Eagle, a prominent figure in Indigenous stories and culture, and the art of North Central Australia. They collaborated on a large artwork depicting Bunjil the Eagle’s wings. Each student crafted several feathers using Indigenous symbols to tell their own stories. This process not only enhanced their appreciation for Indigenous art but also deepened their understanding of the cultural narratives from North Central Australia. Each Year 6 student created personal stories of the desert using Indigenous art symbols and dot art techniques, culminating in a magnificent mural now displayed in the Year 6 area. Anyone can stand in front of this mural and spread their arms, like Bunjil the Eagle's wings.

Throughout National Reconciliation Week, our school has dedicated efforts to building positive, respectful relationships between all Australians and Indigenous peoples. By educating young Australians about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, we contribute to a future filled with positive change and mutual respect.

In Foundation students were immersed in a book called ‘Country tells us when…’ by Tsheena Cooper. Students learnt about how Indigenous people use signs such as the weather and animal migration to recognise seasons. Foundation students then looked at how indigenous people believe there are six seasons. Below you can see students' drawings and the Yawuru words for different types of weather.

In Art this week, the whole school were engaged in art and craft activities with an Indigenous theme. In Foundation to Year 2 we read ‘Kookoo Kookaburra’. The book was written by Indigenous author and artist, Gregg Dreise. We explored indigenous art and culture and the purpose of reconciliation week. Students were inspired to create their own kookaburra in the outback and include indigenous patterns.