From our Students,

5/6B Newsletter Contribution

Our Inquiry topic this term is ‘How historical events have impacted on culture and identity.’ One area we have studied in 5/6B was the Stolen Generation by reading The Rabbit Proof Fence. To coincide with Reconciliation Week and National Sorry Day, we explored the importance of learning about Australia’s history and understanding the past, to create a better future.

For those who don’t know, the Stolen Generation occurred when generations of Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their families to try to extinguish their race and to try to raise them as white children. These horrific stories help us reflect on the sad things that happened to these children, their families and communities, and how different their lives could have been and what they could have become.

Some students in 5/6B wrote letters addressed to all of those who were and still are affected by the Stolen Generation to apologise for the mistakes that have been made.

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Dear the children and families who have been affected by the Stolen Generation, 

My name is Baci and I am a Year 6 student at Caulfield Junior College. Our Inquiry topic this term is how major events in history have shaped our world today, and now, more than ever, we are learning that we need to apologise for everything that we have done.

There are so many things that we are incredibly sorry for, so much so that we don’t even know the half of it, which is absolutely unforgivable. I don’t know your story, or what happened to you, but I know that it must have been horrible, getting stripped of your culture, not knowing who you actually are, and losing your homes and families, losing your life. And to your parents, the fact that your own child could be taken away from you at such a young age is completely disgraceful, and it is inexcusable that this catastrophe took so long to stop.

If getting taken away from your families and homes weren’t enough, I can’t simply imagine what it was like to be given to a new family as though you were a gift. One that was completely different to yours and that you might have felt that you had no connection with. I am deeply sorry for you if that family didn’t treat you like their own, and acted in a way that no one should be put through because of it.

However, sorry is just a word and it doesn’t change anything unless we mean it, unless we take action on it. Even though we have made changes in the past, we haven’t done enough, and we have a long road ahead of us to get there.

I can't say that I understand what you have had to go through, or that I understand the loss and grief that you have felt, all I can say is sorry for all the pain that we, as white people have inflicted upon you and your families, all because we thought that being white was ‘better’, yet, we are wrong, and for that, we are truly sorry.

Yours Sincerely,

Baci, Year 6 student, Caulfield Junior College.

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From the white people of our generation, I am sorry. From the depths of my heart, I am sorry. From those terrible white mens’ grave mistakes, I am sorry. The lowest crime a human can commit is the discrimination and attempted elimination of a culture. Those people who think only for their own success and only accept their own ideas are evil and selfish. The people that had to go through selfishness and cruelty are the bravest form of humanity. It doesn’t make sense how somebody human could have the beliefs the convicts, settlers and so called “Australians” had, but I do know that on behalf of anyone who has done you harm or caused you hurt, I am sorry.

Nonetheless, sorry could never really be accepted in this format, after the terrible massacre of the rightful owners of Australia. I write this on National Sorry Day when Australia reflects on its terrible but hopefully erasable history. I believe we can make a difference. The past was unforgivable and I wish I could do anything to make it better. No child deserves to go through what the First Nations People went through. 

Our class is learning about Australia's dark past and have come to this conclusion; we are shocked, shaken but most of all sorry.

Ezra, Year 6 student at Caulfield Junior College

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Sorry Day 

To the people who were affected by the Stolen Generation,

I'm sorry for the pain of your past. I'm sorry that you're still hurting in the present. 

I can't imagine how horrible it must feel to be taken away from your Mums and Dads. I don’t want to imagine how I would live without mine. To be forced away from the people that you love is barbaric. 

Although I can't change the past, I can endeavour to change the future by educating this generation and generations after me about what is right and what is wrong and most importantly, equality to all races. 

I hope you don't ever have to experience that pain and suffering again!  On behalf of my generation, we will do what we can to ensure a safer, equal and brighter future for everyone. 

 We stand with you now and forever!

Nechama, Year 5 student at Caulfield Junior College