Sorry Day Assembly

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags were lowered to half mast today as a sign of respect to members of the Stolen Generations. We were interrupted by rain, but met again after lunch for students from the 5-6 class to share their reflections. We took a moment to reflect on the loss and sorrow, and to hold hope in our hearts for change.

Students attended the Sorry Day Ceremony on Thursday 26th May at the Botanical Gardens. Vic Say, who was the principal at Chewton in the 1970s came to say hello! Uncle Rick Welcomed us to Country with a smoking ceremony, and students from CSC spoke. Marta and Arkie read their reflection as representatives of our school. Uncle Ron Murray also spoke about the Stolen Generations, performed with his partner and son and told us the teaching of how the Kangaroo jumped on it's back legs. Sarah sang Yill Lull, which we also sing each week as part of our assembly, which is considered an anthem by Koorie people. Many people remarked on how wonderful it was to see one of our local schools so well represented. Our students were exemplary!

Sorry Day

Some lovely reflections from our grade 5-6 students

Dear Mothers and Elders,

I cannot bear to imagine the suffering you must have experienced, the joy of your life,torn from your arms.

I am terrified of the chaos, destruction, suffering, and sorrow the white people brought to this culture and land.

The pain and misery, the taking of your children, and the massacres of your culture.

On behalf of the Europeans, I wish to apologize for your suffering, pain, and destruction.

Let us hope nothing as treacherous as this happens anywhere ever again.

Yours Sincerely,

Gryphon

Sorry

By Marta

I am sorry for the suffering,

Sorry for the pain,

For the the ancient tales no longer told, the words no longer spoken,

I am sorry.

Sorry for all they did, all the pain they inflicted’

For the families ripped apart, their hearts forever broken,

I am sorry.

Sorry for the strong feeling of sorrow that never seems to go away,

For the loss, struggles and injustice that linger to this day,

I am sorry.

But there is hope,

A ray of light at the end of a dark tunnel,

To fix what has been broken,

To heal what has been wounded,

I stand with you, a friend,

To rise to the light, as one

A united, reconciled Australia

Sorry, by Claire

Sorry.

Sorry for all the children stolen.

Sorry for all those hearts broken into a million pieces.

Sorry for all the families that were ripped apart,

Sorry for all they did and all they took away,

For all the ancient tails no longer told and the words no longer spoken,

To all the hearts never to be repaired and all the trauma that went unsaid,

I'm sorry with all my heart,

I'll walk with you,

My arm in yours,

Tomorrow anew…

Sorry by Arkie

Thank you,

Thank you for all the care and nurturing wisdom and guidance you have given this beautiful country.

I am also sorry.

How can I make that more meaningful?

I don't know if I can.

I don't know if I can understand all the pain and suffering and what you've been through,

I cannot deny or bury the fact that deep down I feel such regret and pain for you!

Sorry for the ancient tales sewed from your hearts, Getting stripped from you,

Sorry for the words no longer spoken from your mouths, but I admire your undying courage.

Sorry for the families torn apart, and for the overwhelming sense of sorrow that always lingers in the air and in your heart.

But a part of me is grateful because I feel like this horrific time has brought us together,

One day I hope we will walk together as one,

We stand by you always, and perhaps one day we will become a reconciled nation.

Sorry Day by Cody

Dear Mothers ,

We are sorry for tearing your children from your arms,

Breaking your hearts,

Giving you nothing but pain,

We thought it was right but it was wrong,

We're sorry for attacking who resisted and for scaring you,

We are sorry.

We are Sorry

By Zach

For some of us it is mourning,

For others it’s sorrow,

But for all of us it is remembrance,

Remembering the horrible things that happened,

The children that were stolen literally right from mothers hands,

I don't know why they did it, but it was wrong, very wrong.

Forever the cries of the mothers, fathers and their kids will stain every soul,

And every mind,

We are sorry.

There is no way to say how sorry,

But we can unite as one and share cultures because now,

We walk beside you!

Wellbeing News

By Linda

Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator

This week I’ve attached links to the Emerging Minds website about Anxiety in children. Anxiety can present itself in a wide variety of external behaviours. It can also be a very internal experience and have a wide range of feelings underlying it. Please contact me for a hard copy if you prefer.

This week I’ve attached links to 3 parent guides below

https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/parent-guide-1-anxiety-in-children/

https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/parent-guide-2-gathering-information-about-your-childs-experience-of-anxiety/

https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/parent-guide-3-supporting-your-child/

This term Abbi the Therapy Dog has been enjoying her visits to school and so have the staff and students. I just wanted to share some interactions she has had with students this week. Abbi has supported me to build a strong relationship with many of the children. They will often approach to pat Abbi while having a long chat out in the yard.

This week all classes were reviewing areas of need in Kimochis as the staff were receiving training this week to continue with the next unit about emotions. More detail will be in next weeks newsletter. This week I was also able to have Abbi support me in some lessons about our Kimochis Talking Voice as we then related it to our green (happy) tone we use when we see Abbi and how it makes her happy. This was a great way to build their self awareness of their keys to communication.

Building update

The tenders have closed and have come in $200 000 over our budget. The architects and the VSBA (Victorian Schools Building Authority) are looking at options and adjustments to bring the project into our budget limits. This has pushed the start date back to late June. I will keep you informed as soon as more information is available.

We will have shelving and some fittings for sale as part of the project. We will need help to pack and move materials. If you can assist, please let us know.

Working Bee

Thanks to everyone who was able to contribute time and energy to our working bee. Seven cubic meters of soft-fall was spread in the western playground. The western driveway was repaired and the shade structure over the sandpit is in the process of being repaired.

Thanks Rob, Dan, Shayne, Mai, Kate, Rob, Richard, Kasey, Otis, Daniel, Akira, Jack and Orlo. We really appreciate your fantastic work.

School Tours

Congratulations to our Grade 5-6 students who took a number of families on school tours as part of our Open Day this week. Parents were very impressed with their knowledge and clear articulation of what makes Chewton Primary the best school! If you know families who are moving or have just moved to Chewton, please take the time to chat to them about our great school.

Sustainability

Due to the great work we are doing at Chewton, this week we were invited to take part in a focus group for input into the Department of Education's Sustainability and Climate Change Policy. Thanks to Michelle Barton for joining the panel. We were able to give our suggestions for key areas. If you have some suggestions that you think should be included, please contact Bernadette

Nalderun Education Aboriginal Cooperation

The Koorie Morning Bus 2022

Did you know that Nalderun and Mt Alexander council run a bus service called the Koori bus? It picks students up from a location of their choosing and takes them to the school they are enrolled in. It is primarily for First Nations families, however there is some space that can be allocated to families who may need to use this service. If you would like to use this service, please contact Bernadette.

Responding to the cold and flu season

A resurgence of influenza (the flu) is expected this winter.

Schools are at risk of higher rates of students and staff affected by flu and COVID-19.

This article includes advice for schools from the Department of Health (DH) to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the flu, and a letter to share with parents and carers about COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

How to reduce the spread of flu and COVID-19

Encourage staff and students to:

• wash and sanitise their hands regularly

• avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

• cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze

• get tested for COVID-19 if they feel unwell

• get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19.

Students and staff with cold or flu-like symptoms should take a COVID-19 test and stay home until their symptoms pass. If a student becomes ill at school, arrange for the student’s family to collect them.

Resources to help schools promote proper handwashing include:

• the new Clean Hands curriculum resource for students in Prep to Grade 2.

• Be a Soapy Hero: hand hygiene for schools.

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs and pharmacies, many of which can also provide COVID-19 vaccinations.

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

Some people are more at risk of complications from flu and are eligible for free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program.

COVID-19 vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccines are available and free to everyone aged 5 years and over in Australia.

They can be booked through the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398 or through participating GPs, pharmacies and community health services.