St Mary’s Primary School Young marked the anniversary of Kevin Rudd's national apology to the Stolen Generation on February 13 with a number of activities and celebrations.
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“It was wonderful to have the whole school recognise and understand the importance of the national apology and the significance is has to us as a nation,” commented principal Mr Andrew Casey.
The day saw each class from Kindergarten to Year six learn and understand what it meant when then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said “sorry” to all Aboriginal people.
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Mr Rudd in his speech in 2008 said: "We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country."
"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry."
Kindergarten students shared a special story with Aboriginal Education Worker, Ms Christine Hamilton who shared stories about the stolen generation and what it meant for her as an Indigenous person to hear the word “sorry”.
Year four students created healing boards “to show that we care what happened to the Aboriginal people” said Year Four student Matilda Thackery.
The Healing boards were a chance for students to explore how people and communities can heal through acknowledging the past and through acts of kindness .
Year six students shared their responses to the National Apology using digital technologies.
One class used green screen technology to create a powerful image of united hands which as one student commented “shows that we are no longer different but we are all the same”.
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Some Year six students created a meaningful video that as one student remarked “was a way for us to show that we care and acknowledge the terrible things that has happened to the Aboriginal people”.
Principal Andrew Casey explained that it is something the school recognises every year.
"It is something that is done each year," Mr Casey said.
"We also recognise a number of other significant days in relation to our Indigenous heritage.
"Siobhan Roberts and Christine Hamilton are responsible for running these days whilst the teachers have significant input as well."
