May 27th to June 3rd is National Reconciliation Week (NRW), with this year’s slogan reminding us of the plea to be ‘Grounded in Truth, Walk Together with Courage’. The week 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 NRW remain the same each year, 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Our school is in the City of Wanneroo, which is within 'Noongar Country'. Noongar Country stretches from Esperance to Jurien Bay, and contains 14 different language groups. Two Noongar language groups, the Whadjuk and Yued people, lived and shared cultural areas in the northern parts of the City of Wanneroo for traditions and customs. This region was part of Mooro Country, the district of an important Whadjuk Noongar elder and leader Yellagonga.
With every aspect of the social, economic, political and historical future of our area, State and Nation being in the hands of our young people, education continues to be a key in acceptance of diversity and inclusion. Our School Values echo these values that are encouraged in the wider Australian society and as a school, we encourage any student to adopt the attitude of this year’s National Reconciliation Week and ‘be bold, be brave and have an honest conversation’ if they feel those values are not the experience of any student in their class.
For more information, please visit https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/