With National Reconciliation Week fast approaching, preparations are in full swing at Bairnsdale West Primary School (BWPS) for their annual Reconciliation Assembly.
Each year Reconciliation Week is bookended by two significant dates for Australians – May 27 and June 3. May 27 marks the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, where 90 per cent of Australians voted to change the constitution, and June 3 when the High Court made the Mabo ruling that enabled native title.
Bairnsdale West Primary School marks the occasion each year with an assembly open to all community members to attend. The assembly is an opportunity to share learning with the community and push towards a reconciled future between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
Acting principal Huw Porter gave an outline of BWPS’ ongoing commitment to Reconciliation.
“At Bairnsdale West we have long believed in the importance of teaching our true history. To teach the true history we have utilised many special books that convey stories of racism and inequality to students at their level,” Mr Porter said.
“It can be done, and it shouldn’t be said primary school kids are too young to learn about these tragic events. Saying it can’t happen, just adds another blocker, and makes Aboriginal Australia just wait longer when they have already been more than patient for white Australia to reconcile with our past mistakes.”
This year, the theme for National Reconciliation Week is ‘Now more than ever’. The theme is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will — and must — continue.
Mr Porter gave his further interpretation of the theme for this year.
“Now more than ever, we need as a community to stand up against the racism,” he said.
“Our reconciliation assembly is about increasing knowledge of true history, celebrating aboriginal voices and those of their allies and asking people to now more ever understand how they can help to undo the racist constructs in our communities.”
Students and staff at BWPS have been utilising Aboriginal-based literature to help develop their understanding of the true history of Australia. Each grade has selected a book which link to big ideas in the space of Reconciliation. These books help form the base of visual displays that will be created by students and presented during the assembly.
The assembly will also include guest speakers including students and staff, as well as Gunaikurnai language and culture expert, Dr Doris Paton. The performance from the choir is always a highlight and they have been working on translating lyrics from English to our local Gunaikurnai tongue.
BWPS’ Reconciliation Assembly will take place on Friday, May 31, beginning at 11am. The assembly will be held in Nova Hall at BWPS (Cooma Street side).
Any community member that would like to attend is asked to RSVP to the school office by Friday, May 24.
