Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school support staff throughout Australia are to be applauded for the work they do in our schools. With occasions such as the recent National Sorry Day and upcoming NAIDOC Week celebrations, they work hard to help raise awareness about the importance of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and this beautiful land in which we live.
Thousands of students, teachers and communities throughout Australia have taken part in National Sorry Day observances, which acknowledge the mistreatment of Indigenous Australians. Twenty years ago the landmark Bringing Them Home report was handed down. This report highlighted the struggles of many thousands of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Not only the children who were removed and never to came home, but those affected by this forcible removal. The report permeates with grief and loss, the shared stories are compelling and heart wrenching.
It is 50 years since the 1967 referendum allowing the Constitution to be amended to include Aboriginal people. Yet there is still a long way to go with Aboriginal children significantly behind non Aboriginal children by the time they start Year 1. The proportion of Aboriginal teachers is still minimal.
Community, Connection, Belonging - School Support Staff Conference 11 August 2017. Guest Speaker Yassmin Abdel-Magied. Be sure to book you place early.
I trust you enjoyed World School Support Day on 14 June!