Yesterday, Wednesday 25th May,  we celebrated ‘National Simultaneous Story Time,’ with over a million children from Australia and New Zealand. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. This year the book that was shared was ‘The Family Tree’ by Josh Pyke and illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is its 22nd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Reception to Year 6.

26 May : National Sorry Day, or the National Day of Healing, is an annual event to remember and commemorate the mistreatment of Australia's indigenous population.

Today we have been talking with our learners about National Sorry Day and our part in understanding the journey of reconciliation with Australia’s First Peoples. We will continue to build knowledge and understanding using stories, video and art; we hope to contribute to a  new narrative for all Australians and in playing our part, we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The dates for National Reconciliation Week are the same each year; 27 May to 3 June.

The 2022 theme “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to  individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.

Our 2022 Staff Reconciliation Team have been busy planning and collecting resources and learning ideas to share with staff. They have shared their idea for us to learn about Reconciliation this week and to continue our learning through until NAIDOC Week . We will then have a celebration assembly to share our learning.

This year our whole school is working together to create a "Sea of Hearts".  Reconciliation must live in our hearts,  minds and actions as we work towards creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships. Each learner will record their response to "What does reconciliation mean to you?" on a heart then decorate. We will then display these at he front of our school. We would really like member of our community to contribute what reconciliation means to them.  If you would like to decorate a heart and record your thoughts please see our front office staff to collect a heart. 

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful changes like these, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort.