Today we held a special parade to acknowledge National Sorry Day and the start of Reconciliation Week 2023. Thank you to the many parents and families who attended. The parade was opened by one of our Year 6 leaders, Indy L, who conducted the Acknowledgement of Country. Our guest speaker was our very own Mr Luke Forbes, teacher of Class 4L.
Mr Luke is of Aboriginal heritage from Nharangga country, near Adelaide in South Australia. Mr Luke came to Yandina SS in 2022, after winning the prestigious Pearl Duncan Scholarship for aspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers. Mr Luke was also recently honoured with the Ken Wanganeen Medal, which is awarded to the Indigenous student with the highest grade-point average in the final two years of their University degree. Thank you Mr Luke for sharing your story today with our students and the school community.
National Sorry Day
“Every year on the 26th of May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’. National Sorry Day also marks the beginning of Reconciliation Week, which runs from the 27th of May to 3rd of June . The theme for National Reconciliation Week this year is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. This theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, we all must act today for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all. National Reconciliation 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.”