From the Counsellors
NAIDOC Week
As St Mary's College Wellbeing staff, we acknowledge the Tasmania Aboriginal people as the original and continuing custodians of this land and we pay our respects to elders, past, present and emerging.
During the school holidays there will be many opportunities for students to get involved in the community to celebrate NAIDOC Week (3–10 July).
Included below is a special report about NAIDOC Week from School TV, along with a number of resources available through the School TV website that are specifically tailored to families. We encourage you and your family to take a look at the resources available and enjoy the cultural diversity NAIDOC Week celebrations will offer.
SPECIAL REPORT
Celebrating NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. The week is also an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future.
Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week. This special report, linked here, offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.
Olivia Dorsett (K–Year 6)
Rachel Sylvester (Years 7–12)
SMC Counsellors