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A YEAR five Beaconhills College student penned a heartfelt letter to Prime Minister Julia Gillard calling for the loss of health and Aboriginal traditions to be made a part of the National Apology.
As part of the college’s series of reconciliation assemblies, Indigenous footballer Gilbert McAdam visited the school on Friday.
Each year the college stages the assemblies in junior, middle and senior schools to celebrate and recognise indigenous culture. Indigenous cultural learning is part of the college curriculum and head elder of the Wurundjeri people, Murrindindi, is a regular visitor to the school where he leads workshops.
Murrindindi was also an honoured guest at the 21 June assemblies, along with Yorta Yorta Boon Wurrung man James Hume and John Baxter from Reconciliation Victoria.
James Hume entertained students by playing the didgeridoo and encouraging groups to get up on stage and perform the Creation Dance.
Murrindindi said the assemblies were very meaningful because they represented the coming together of indigenous and non-indigenous people. He said the college was more advanced in its approach to reconciliation than any other school he had visited in the past 35 years.
“The respect that the students and teachers have for me is unbelievable,” he said.
Reconciliation Assembly organiser and teacher Lynette George said it was fantastic for students across all year levels to be involved in the assemblies and learn more about indigenous culture.
Pakenham student Joel read a letter he wrote to Ms Gillard, as part of his year-five cultural studies.
Ms George said it was very touching that a young student could write such a heartfelt letter.
“I hope our students take away a little more knowledge about the older history of Australia and enjoy the opportunity to meet different indigenous leaders,” Ms George said.