From the Principal (Andrew Healey)

This week is Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) with the theme being “Now more than ever”. The Cultural Inclusivity Committee has kicked off the week with a purple-ish Reconciliation Flower display on the wall outside Student Services. The dates linked to this week are based on significant historical events. May 26 is National Sorry Day, officially the National Day of Healing, and is an event held annually in Australia commemorating the Stolen Generations. It is part of the ongoing efforts towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, hence being aware of the significance of this week.

May 27 is historically significant because in 1967 Australians voted to change the Constitution so that, like all other Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would be counted as part of the population and the Commonwealth government would be able to make laws for them. A resounding 90.77 per cent voted ‘Yes’ and every single state and territory had a majority result for the ‘Yes’ vote.  It was the most successful national referendum in Australia’s history.

The end date, June 3, marks the 1992 Australian High Court delivery of the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the myth that at the time of colonisation, Australia was ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one), that led to the recognition of the Meriam people as the Traditional Owners of the Murray Islands in the Torres Strait. This landmark decision paved the way for native title rights and interests over land and waters.

It is not just the past that is the focus of this week. Last Thursday the middle leaders were on a professional learning journey. AITSL has introduced standards for middle leaders and one core standard is: Enhancing understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The impact when reflecting on this core standard is very strong.

On more mundane matters we are wrapping up the Year 12 exams and pushing the Year 11 exams for the rest of the week. This starts the reporting process for senior school as all assessments are being wrapped up and grades allocated.