Reconciliation Week at OLMC
Reading with Kindergarten at St Patrick's Primary School
On Monday, 25 May we visited St Patrick's to read with Kindergarten students in the lead up to Reconciliation Week. The session aimed to honour National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) by giving students a meaningful and hands-on learning experience, where we shared stories, language, and culture.
In line with this year's theme, All In, we explored how Reconciliation calls on us to use our eyes (Mayi) to see, our ears (Guri) to listen, our mouth (Garaga) to speak with kindness, our hands (Dhamarra) to help others, and our feet (Mandawi) to jump in together and stand as one.
The students were engaged and curious, and we enjoyed the experience just as much as they did. It was a special reminder of how sharing language and story can bring people together.
Sorry Day
Tuesday, 26 May marks National Sorry Day. On this day a group of Indigenous students were fortunate enough to go to Parramatta Town Hall and participate in the local government’s National Sorry Day event.
We started the day with a smoking ceremony led by an Indigenous Elder, which was an amazing time for us to cleanse ourselves and ground the day in Country. We then went into Town Hall where we were welcomed by some cultural dancers, with a beautiful performance, shoutout to the Jannawi Dance Clan.
This was followed by two powerful guest speakers. One, Jayne Christian, a proud Baramadagal woman and social justice lawyer, enlightened us on the past experiences faced by Indigenous Australians especially in the Parramatta area. We learnt about the experiences of families torn apart by the policies of past governments, and the impact of the Stolen Generation then and now. We heard how racism is still a problem today, and what must be done to truly reconcile.
After listening, we did some reflective colouring in to represent important messages about reconciliation, and we worked together to weave bracelets.
Overall, we had an amazing time connecting with our Mob, learning new things like how to weave and how truth telling can lead to a path of understanding within our community.
Ellie Sibir, Amali Milson, Jasmine Rizk, and Lily Montgomery
We acknowledge the Burramattagal People of the Darug Nation, the traditional custodians of the land in Parramatta. We acknowledge the Elders, past and present and their ancestors who have had a deep relationship with country.