02-Jun-2023
Dear Families
‘We can’t live in the past, but the past lives in us’ Charles Perkins
This week’s National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
During the last few days I was fortunate to join with a small and select group of Principals, Education Improvement Leaders and Koorie Education support staff from within our network of schools and across the Mornington Peninsula to learn about country, understand our rituals, our values and our cultures.
The 3-day learning took place on Wurundjeri land – part of the Kulin Nation.
We were stepped through the importance and purpose of the Acknowledgement of Country and the connection that we all have to our land. We yarned about the importance of humility and paying respect to the traditional custodians of our lands and the significant contributions made by elders.
We learnt that every single one of us has a unique story to tell and share and that every event that has happened in our lives – good and bad – help shape who we are and help us to write our story. For some of us we are more than half way through our stories but we have the chance to write the narrative we want in the remainder of our lives.
We need to honour our stories and share these.
We unpacked how we can change behaviours by changing individuals’ silent conversations through experiences and conversations.
We discovered that we are ALL multicultural. The habits of our culture (the way we think, speak behave) change depending on where we are and what we are doing. Our cultural habits at work, at home or at the footy change – yet often these habits are centred around CONNECTION and RELATIONSHIPS.
We are all connected to Country, be it the beach, the bush, the mountains or a river. For many in our community our connection to the land we live and work on has had barely 250 years to strengthen. For our First Nations families, their connections have been forged over many, many thousands of years and are much stronger
It was a privilege to learn from and with some amazing people and as a leader in our school, I have a renewed commitment to deepening and strengthening connections and relationships with our students, families and staff.
Student Leaders’ MND Event
Next Friday 9 June will be a free dress day for our students and we are hoping to raise money and awareness in support of FIGHT MND. Our Canteen will be closed on the day and we will have sausages (including a vegetarian option) on the BBQ. These are available to order via QKR.
There will be NO assembly on this day, and we would love to see as many family members as possible to support our Student Leaders in the quest to raise funds for this cause.
Stay well this winter
The last few weeks have been a struggle for many families, students and staff fas the dreaded winter flu season envelopes us. There are a number of viruses doing the rounds at the moment and I know that where my children attend dthere has been plenty of gastro, colds and flu uamongst the student community. Thank you for helping us all to stay healthy by keeping and supporting gsick children at home, and for being so responsive to our Offic c cteam when the call comes home that your child is unwell. It is truly appreciated.
Inclusive Education at Edithvale Primary
This week a video that shines a light on some of the wonderful practices sthat our staff fuse to engage and support students to learn and grow, was shared with Natalie Hutchins – Minister of Education nand Deputy Secretary – School Education nPrograms and Support. The video was filmed donsite a few weeks back and we are proud that our great school is recognised as a leader in this Inclusive education space.
Each and every day our incredible staff fprovide a caring and nurturing environment and make many, many adjustments to learning and teaching to ensure ALL students can access the curriculum. Our students (and I) are very fortunate to have such determined, kind and respectful lstaff fworking for and with them to help develop the skills they will need to be successful in the months and years to come.
I encourage you to take a look at the video using the link here.
https:/ /www.dropbox.com/sh/jzgd77f4i9gnyd9/AAB45zH0kuLT8wAEzx4TRlyXa?dl=0
Key dates in Term 2
- Swimming: Monday 29 May – Friday 9 June – Year 3 – 6
- Friday 2 June- Trivia Night
- Friday 9 June – Student Leaders’ MND ‘Big Freeze’
- Friday 16 June – Semester 1 reports become available
- Wednesday and Thursday 21 & 22 June- Parent Partnership meetings
- Friday 23 June- Final assembly at 2:00pm with an early dismissal at 2:30 pm
Student Free days
- Friday August 25
- Monday November 6
- Wednesday December 20
James Whitla
I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this is being read – for most of us – the
Bunurong- members of the eastern Kulin Nations – and pay my respects to elders past present and emerging. I
wish to acknowledge our First Nations people and pay respects to them. I note further that these lands were
never ceded and are, and always will be, Aboriginal Lands.