Sunshine Coast Grammar School will be holding its annual National Sorry Day Assembly to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generation Survivors, reflect on its Reconciliation Action Plan, and recognise this year’s First Nation Ambassadors on Friday, 27 May.
Sunshine Coast Grammar School is proud to elect two First Nation Ambassadors, Lucas Brodrick and Amalia Noble and present them with inaugural Indigenous Scholarships. As a result of their commitment and leadership, the Chief Executive Officer of the Presbyterian Methodist Schools Association (PMSA), Mr Shane Coppin and Principal, Mrs Anna Owen, are proud to award the Ambassadors for their commitments and dedication.
Both students are committed to working with the school’s Reconciliation Action Plan committee to promote reconciliation in all areas of the school and wider community and promote the reconciliation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
To commemorate Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week, Lucas and Amalia will unveil a Reconciliation Garden known as the Wunya Garden and plant a native hibiscus tree, which is approved by the National Stolen Generations Alliance as the official symbol for Sorry Day.
The purpose of the Wunya Garden is to create a visual sign of Grammar’s commitment to working towards a bright future in restoring and respecting culture and love of country. Each year, the school will commemorate the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events by planting a native tree in the Wunya Garden.
In the lead up to Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week, students have been learning about the meaning of Sorry Day and discussing reconciliation. Students have written words of action on hand-made paper chains, which represents the school’s united approach to reconciliation and how we can come together as a community to enact change.
While each of our classes from Years 4 to 12 presented their paper chains, Teacher Mrs Ward and students Sean Pettitt and Sebastian Wilson performed an original song in recognition of National Reconciliation Week. The words of action will be on display in the library and reception for students and families to reflect on the commitments of their peers.
For Sunshine Coast Grammar School, reconciliation means working inclusively in a meaningful and respectful way with Aboriginal families and communities. Our vision is to acknowledge the Gubbi Gubbi culture in symbolic recognition of the people and the country in which we live, work and play. Reconciliation represents equal and equitable educational opportunities and outcomes for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, and an inclusive and diverse workplace that is not just culturally safe, but culturally rich and proud.
Sunshine Coast Grammar Rugby Program has a strong affiliation with the school’s Reconciliation Action Plan and will be presenting Grammar’s Girls Rugby team with their indigenous jerseys. Head of Rugby, Mr Troy Atkins, and Rugby Coach and All Blacks player, Hosea Gear will join the team for the special presentation.