Leading teacher at Bairnsdale West Primary School, Paul West, introduced and welcomed everyone to the school’s Reconciliation Day assembly last Friday.
The school assembly hall and gym was packed with students, parents and friends of the school as
well as students from about 10 visiting schools – Bairnsdale Primary School, Bairnsdale Secondary College, Cowwarr Primary School, Eagle Point Primary School, East Gippsland Specialist School, Lucknow Primary School, Nungurner Primary School, Paynesville Primary School, Sale College, Melbourne Indigenous Transition School – with apologies from Clifton Creek, Orbost Community College, Metung Primary School and Toorloo Arm Primary School.
Over the years Bairnsdale
West has been the leading school in the region celebrating Reconciliation Day.
Opening the morning proceedings the school choir sang, led by enthusiastic popular performing arts teacher Beck Corben.
Aunty Dottie Moffatt gave the Welcome to Country and said she’d been part of the school, proud of the school and comfortable at
the school where everyone has worked together.
“There has been, over my time, respect and consideration for all of us,” she said.
Former student Jasmine Saunders-Baxter, now a teacher’s aid at the school, spoke about her current role and reflected on home life and her school education. She also paid tribute to Mr West and said he’d made a difference to her life.
“I love working at the school where kids can learn about our culture but it is not only about sharing but learning and one of my goals is to change our community for the better,” she said.
Acting principal Huw Porter interviewed students on stage about what they had written in regard to Reconciliation Week, Sorry Day and the Stolen Generations.
Part of the presentation was an impressive video display connecting with the school’s printed book on display for reconciliation week.
Dr Doris Paton, a great friend of the school, said “today is a great foundation for the future”.
“The words, Bridging Now to Next, encourages all Australians to walk together.
“As a past student it has been a privilege to work together and as we go forward lets walk together to support the school. I just love what the children do at the school and what they have done for today.”
Recently retired principal Doug Vickers said he still felt connected to the school and it was privilege to be invited to speak.
Mr Vickers touched on a little history dating back to 1967 and Marbo. He was told by Pat Dodson in 2016 that reconciliation must transcend political theatre. He said some politicians have been an apology for 20 years and education department official representation on the day had sadly been lacking.
