Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back to Term 3. We are delighted to see our students are refreshed and energized for the term ahead. 

As you are aware Naidoc Week was celebrated last week across the Nation. NAIDOC Week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) occurs annually in July, and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians all over the country and overseas. 

Over the last 3 Sundays, the Faith and Spirituality Group, have led 3 wonderful sessions titled STATEMENT OF THE HEART: WALKING TOGETHER to support further understanding of the Statement of the Heart and what the Voice to Parliament actually means for our country and Indigenous people. We are grateful for this parish school link and being part of this important work in making the best informed decision for our country moving forward. These sessions have not been about directing the vote in the upcoming referendum but about all of us learning a little bit more about the complex issues arising in Uluru Statement, the Voice, and a change to the Australian Constitution.

It was an opportunity to come together to consider the Australian Government’s commitment to implement Uluru Statement from the Heart, through a referendum to be held between October and December 2023 to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution and by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Father Darien also shared that the writers of Uluru Statement from the Heart are asking for recognition, consultation and for all Australians to Walk Together. If you have not had the opportunity to read the Uluru Statement of the Heart, I  have included a link here Uluru Statement from the Heart which is  read aloud by First Nations collaborators. On reflection, I certainly found these sessions informative, thought provoking and gained a clearer understanding of what a voice to parliament will ultimately entail for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people and all of us. This particular breakdown of what is actually involved in the constitutional change certainly made it simpler to understand and was taken from the First Nations Referendum working group. https://www.niaa.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/referendum-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-voice 

Many thanks to Arthur, Tom and Willow Annand and Ruby Ritchie who contributed so positively to the sessions.

The Annand family also shared their heritage via Willow and Tom which is remarkable.

Hello, my name is Willow and this is my brother Tom. Thank you for allowing us to share some of our family history with you all. My Grandfather, on my Mum’s side, was a proud Aboriginal man. His tribe was Wotjobaluk which is from the Wimmera-Mallee region of north- west Victoria, which is near the Grampians. My Grandfather was born in Antwerp which is near Dimboola where he lived with his 7 brothers and sisters. Antwerp was a former Aboriginal mission reserve. My Grandfather parents were Margaret Kennedy, a Wotojobaluk woman, and Athol Harrison, a Gunai man. My Great Grandfather tribe, Gunai, is located near Lakes Entrance in Victoria. My Great Grandmother, along with her siblings, was born on the Wimmera riverbank between the reserve and the Ebenezer mission. While the mission had closed in 1904, the reserve was kept for those who remained in Antwerp, but most of the old people moved to Lake Tyers, Dimboola and elsewhere. My Grandfather’s great great grandfather Jungunginnyook, was well known for his tracking skills and his involvement in finding the lost Duff children near Horsham in 1864. He was also a member of the first Aboriginal cricket team which toured England in 1868. My Great Grandfather worked for the railways, in his “holidays”; harvested salt at Pink Lake near Dimboola and also worked on the vegetable gardens there. My Grandfather’s parents were very resourceful. They built the family a house with a big vegie garden down near a billabong, heaps of chickens and 3 cows. My Grandfather’s mother bottled fruit, made jam and sewed clothes. Unfortunately my Grandfather is no longer alive but our culture lives on through our Aunties and Uncles. My Aunty Nancy is a respected tribal elder and is often called to do welcome to country, she is on the Victorian honour role for her role as an Aboriginal elder and she has also done artwork for Mount Zero Olives. You might see her artwork in cafes or shops as it's on Mount Zero salt shakers. We are very proud of our culture and proud that my uncle Glenn was the first aboriginal man to be an emergency doctor in Australia.

Thank you for listening to part of our background and story.

Camps and their benefits: It was wonderful to send off our happy campers in Year 4 and Year 6 yesterday who are, by all counts, having the best time. 

We value all our camps at Our Lady Star of the Sea for Year 3-6. Research shows there are many  benefits of school  camps. Some of these include  Peer bonding, being physically active because even just being in an outdoor environment will often inspire children to become more physically active in their day-to-day. Freedom to be responsible and make conscious and positive decisions for themselves, Screen-free time which brings them back down to earth and present in their surroundings. New experiences which become cherished memories for students. Spending time in nature which we know that consistent exposure to nature can be a defining factor in mental health. Spending time outside in the natural environment can decrease stress and anxiety, help us sleep better and regulate emotions in adults and children alike. Not only that, but increased time in nature can stimulate a greater sense of responsibility for the environment and living things. These experiences and skills don’t have to be limited to school camps though. At home, you can follow up on your child’s camp experience by chatting to them about what they learned and enjoyed and try to integrate some of this into your day-to-day. Encourage your children to put down their screens and go for a walk. Support their desire to try new sports or activities. Give them age-appropriate responsibilities within your household. These tools will help shape your child into a well-rounded young adult.

School Disco Friday 28 July 4.30pm-5.30pm Prep-3; 6.15pm-7.30 pm (4pm-6pm): Excitingly we have the whole school disco coming up on Friday 28 July. Tickets can be purchased via try booking. We have further evaluated from last year and you will note QR codes on arrival to sign in and again sign out on pick up. This should provide a smoother procedure for drop off and pick up. We thank the PFA for their organising of this event and bringing our students this exciting opportunity. We also thank the staff who will also be in attendance and enjoy the night with the students.

Principal For the Day: Many thanks to Nikita Turner for her great work last term as Principal for the Day.

Wishing you all a happy fortnight ahead as you settle back into the routines of school term.

Kerryn