Term 2 I Friday 28 May 2021

One of the highlights in recent years has been the acknowledgement of our diversity and colourful heritage.

We celebrate this through the popular UNITE Week. Last year we were forced to put our collection of flags away as we responded to the challenge of Co-Vid. This year we have been blessed to come together as a whole College and celebrate across the whole week.

The week was launched by the Year 12 Leadership Team in our Senior Assembly; these students put together a variety of activities that highlighted our rich backgrounds and heritage. Language, religion, cultural traditions and our broad variety of ethnicities could be areas of division and conflict, however, at Thomas Hassall we have mostly experienced a strong sense of acceptance and unity. This has required individuals to practice tolerance and acceptance of difference at times when we might choose to do otherwise. I think for me this is one of the pleasures of teaching in the South West and it is certainly one of the highlights of teaching at Thomas Hassall.

The week culminated in our whole College Assembly on Friday that included some beautiful stories around student families, wonderful songs and an acknowledgement of Country by one of the local Aboriginal custodians. At lunch the Senior Students enjoyed different foods and finished the day by participating in some colourful dancing from various cultures. 

Thank you to all the parents, teachers and students who make up our community. There is a rich resource of experience and backgrounds amongst our community that we are only just beginning to tap into.

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This week Eurovision has been going. 

I find it interesting that Eurovision celebrates cultural diversity but it won’t let some countries enter- how did Australia get in?

The bible teaches us that God does not really care about what country a person comes from and neither should we.

¹¹ It doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. (Colossians 3)

Christians are reminded that, regardless of nationality, we are united and equal under Jesus.  While the world fights over flags, we fly all our flags together under Him.

During Unite Week we celebrate diversity knowing it is God who makes us different. We celebrate diversity because Jesus died for all peoples and not some people.  Christians celebrate diversity for we know that heaven will be full of different languages, cultures, colours with none of them spoiled by sin or racism or hatred. 

Take time out this week to pray that our students may understand these truths, live them, and celebrate with us. 

National Sorry Day is held on 26^th May every year to remember and recognise all those who were affected by the Stolen Generations.

It also reminds us of the negative impact of Australian government policies, practices and attitudes towards the First Nations Peoples* throughout history. 

On Wednesday in 5G, we looked at what National Sorry Day means and how it affects us today. We coloured in a hand using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag colours, we read some of ‘Young Dark Emu’ by Bruce Pascoe which opened up thoughtful discussion and reflection, and we watched ‘The Apology’ video from then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. 

We learnt that the purple Hibiscus flower is a sign of spiritual healing and compassion. The flower represents the people of the Stolen Generation and the people who survived. We drew and coloured in our own purple hibiscus that is now displayed in our classroom with the hand art as a reminder. 

“I never really knew about this, I think it is a good he (Kevin Rudd) apologised but it won’t bring the children back…” – Matisse.P 

“This day helps us to grow together as a community” – Sophie.I

Miss Courtney Garard 
Junior School Teacher - 5G

*First Nations Peoples is used to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

I can catch!

I can skip!

I can hop!

This term, the Prep children have been participating in a variety of sporting experiences in the Prep playground.

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The children have thoroughly enjoyed exploring with stompers, completing obstacle courses, races, throwing and catching, playing cricket, dancing and shooting some hoops in basketball. Moreover, we have learnt how to play various exciting and fun games such as Cat and Mouse in the parachute, Duck Duck Goose and Rabbit in the Hole.

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Providing opportunities for the children to participate in sporting experiences has many benefits, and these benefits are not just physical! Sport helps the children to develop important life-long skills and habits such as working in a team, cooperating, sharing, waiting their turn, being resilient and building positive relationships with their class peers. Learning to win well and to lose well are other important concepts for the children to grasp.

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And finally, physical activity also helps the children’s brains to develop as well as their muscles.

One, two, three….jump!

Mrs Elise Hona – Prep Blue
Early Stage 1 Assistant Coordinator