ANZAC Day

With ANZAC Day ceremonies taking place around the world on Monday, the Year 4/5 students looked at it from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective. We researched the DVA (Department of Veteran Affairs) website and found the names of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who fought in the service of their country. We wrote those names on red poppies which were used to create the Aboriginal flag.

Did you know?

Boer War

Some 70 Indigenous Australians participated in the Boer War.

First World War

More than 500 Indigenous Australians enlisted and served during the First World War.

Indigenous Australians were present in almost every Australian campaign of the War, however the exact number who volunteered is not known because ethnicity was not recorded on personnel files.

After the First World War, Indigenous veterans found their war service did not bring an end to discrimination. Only one Indigenous person is known to have received land under the post-war “soldier settlement scheme”.

Second World War

When World War Two began, Indigenous Australians were allowed to enlist and many did so. Some fought in the Mediterranean campaigns of 1940-41 and when Japan entered the war in 1942 many more Indigenous Australians found themselves on the frontline.

An estimated 3,000 Indigenous Australians enlisted in for service during the Second World War. Some served in specially raised Indigenous units. Around 745 Indigenous Australians joined the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion formed specifically to defend the strategically important Torres Strait.

The Northern Australian Observation Unit was formed to patrol coastal areas and repel any Japanese landings. The unit’s operations were scaled back from July 1943 when the threat of invasion had receded, and it was disbanded in March 1945.

Post Second World War

Indigenous Australians went on to serve in Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam in the years after the Second World War. In the post Vietnam era Indigenous Australians have served with the Australian Defence Force in conflicts and other operations around the world.

Notable Indigenous veterans

Reg Saunders was the first Australian Aboriginal commissioned in the Australian Army and remains one of the best known Indigenous servicemen. His father fought in the First World War, as did his uncle, Reg Rawlings, who was awarded the Military Medal and later killed in action. Reg served in Crete, New Guinea and Korea while his brother Harry was killed on the Kokoda Track. In 1969 Reg was selected to be among the first Aboriginal Liaison Officers for the Office of Aboriginal Affairs, which became the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

Easter Story

Last Tuesday on our return to school, the Year 5/6 students led the whole school where we finished our Easter Story; the story of the Resurrection. Each class was given a gift from Denise's class that we took back to our own rooms for us to remember the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. The Year 5/6 students also spoke about the significance of 'new life' for Catholics, symbolized by the egg.

Year 5/6 Camp

WE ARE SO CLOSE!!! Next Monday the students from Years 5 and 6 are heading off to the famous Camp Rumbug for three days of food, fitness and fun! Giant swings, Mud Runs and Aeroball awaits the Sacred Heart kids who are all excited and ready to enjoy each other's company. Teachers, you'd better get some sleep!!!

Physical Education News

On the last day of term 1, students from Foundation to grade 6 participated together in a ‘Jump Rope for Heart Day’, to celebrate the conclusion of our fundraising program aimed at raising money for heart disease.

The day consisted of students enjoying a range of skipping based activities, in which they were able to compete with students from all other year levels. The day was an incredible success, as not only did students have plenty of fun, as a school we were also able to raise an amazing $944.25 for the Jump Rope Foundation.

This was the first opportunity in the Covid era for students to participate in a whole school physical activity program, and it was so pleasing for us as staff to see the smiles on the students’ faces as they were taking part. Thank you so much to all students involved in creating such a successful day.

I would also like to congratulate and thank all those families who contributed to the fundraiser, and to all students who took part in skipping during recess and lunch over the term to raise awareness for the foundation.

Religious Education News