Sorry Day

Firstly, students learnt why we have Sorry Day. National Sorry Day is held on 26th May every year to remember and recognise all those who were affected by the ‘Stolen Generations’, as well as the negative impact of Australian government policies, practices and attitudes towards the Indigenous people of Australia throughout history.

We read the former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the Indigenous peoples of Australia, then we talked about the Stolen Generation and how we might feel if it had happened to us.

We made wrist bands which we linked together to make a chain. We wrote our ideas as to how to be a good friend to others on the links.

We made hands which had love hearts and patterns on them in red, black, yellow and white to represent all people and the love we should share for each other no matter what colour creed or race.

Later we listened to the song by Archie Roache, "They took the children away". We felt sad.

We presented the hands, flags, friendship chains and 'Sorry' board to the local members of the community who joined in. Followed by everyone, we marched around our community with our hands, chains and flags in a token of love to say 'Sorry' to the elders for what they had gone through.

We also thought about the actions we may have taken that we might need to feel sorry for, e.g. not being the best friend we could be or maybe saying something mean to someone once, or not sticking up for a friend when they needed help.

Finally, we shared in a sausage sizzle and celebrated Nan Julies birthday with some cake.

What a lovely day!

The students made pledges for Reconcilliation Week