From the Deputy

Principal

National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week

Next week is a significant one for our nation as we mark Sorry Day and the commencement of National Reconciliation Week.  Sorry Day, held on 26 May each year, acknowledges the Stolen Generations.  It marks the date, in 1997, that the Bringing Them Home Report was presented to Parliament and revealed the sad and painful stories of the removal of thousands of Aboriginal children from their families.  National Reconciliation Week falls between 27 May and 3 June, two other significant dates in the relations between First Nations and non-Indigenous Australians: the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and Mabo Day, the anniversary of the 1992 High Court judgment in the Mabo case.  The theme for this year - Be a Voice for Generations - encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, learn, work, and socialise.  For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, act today for a more just, equitable, and reconciled country for all. 

Launch of Mount Alvernia College Reconciliation Plan 

On Thursday 1 June, the College will launch its Reconciliation Action Plan.  Our RAP has been developed over the past two years via the Narragunnawali platform and in consultation with our college community: staff, students, and families.  Our RAP is our formal commitment to national Reconciliation and documents how our school will strengthen relationships, respect, and opportunities in the classroom, around the school, and with the community.  Families are invited to attend the assembly, 8.50–9.40am on Thursday 1 June.  Please RSVP to Mrs Liz Feltrin, felte@staff.mta.qld.edu.au, by Monday 28 May. 

Teralba Park Sorry Day Ceremony 

Next week to mark Sorry Day, Friday 26 May, the Teralba Park Stolen Generations Support Group Inc, will host a commemoration ceremony at Teralba Park, corner of Osborne and Pullen Road, Everton Park.  The ceremony will start at 7.00am and conclude at about 8.00am.  Students are welcome to attend with a family member and make their own way to Teralba Park and then to school.  Alternatively, we do have spaces on the college bus if students require transport to and/or from the event.  The bus will depart from Cremorne Road at 6.30am.  We will return at 8.30am in time for Period 1.  Any student who would like to attend this event and requires bus transport to and/or from Teralba Park must return the permission form that was emailed to all students last week.  Places on the bus will be allocated in order of receipt of permission forms.

Kalinga Park Sorry Day Ceremony

The Noonga Reconciliation Group will also host a commemoration ceremony at Kalinga Park from 10.00 – 11.00am on Friday 26 May.  The College will be represented at this ceremony by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their invited guests. 

Richard Rogusz

Deputy Principal Identity and Religious Life of the College