This week we welcomed our visitors from Natural Fertility Services in Cairns who were here to undertake and conduct the Wonders of Living Program (including Year 5 & 6 Puberty talks). We had several parents attend the movie sessions on Wednesday evening and then our students viewed the relevant movies for their year levels on Thursday.

This program is values-based and family-orientated and has the full support of Bishop James Foley.  The presenters are accredited Family Life Educators. Parents are a child’s primary source of formation and this program seeks to assist parents in this area. 

This week we also recognised National Reconciliation Week whereby we invited all of our teachers and students to participate in the nation’s reconciliation journey through prayer to say sorry and to reconcile.

What is National Reconciliation Week?

Each year National Reconciliation Week (NRW) celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. The dates that bookend the week are significant milestones in the reconciliation journey.

May 27—Marks the anniversary of Australia’s most successful referendum and a defining event in our nation’s history. The 1967 referendum saw over 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise them in the national census.

3 June - Commemorates the High Court of Australia’s landmark Mabo decision in 1992, which legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship to the land—a relationship that existed prior to colonisation and still exists today. This recognition paved the way for land rights or Native Title.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of us all as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.

Thank you and blessings for a wonderful weekend,

Amanda                                  

A prayer for Reconciliation week:

God of all creation,

as we journey together in this Great Southern Land,

we pray for healing forgiveness and unity,

creating a path of good will, with justice and compassion.

Jesus through the power of your love,

You have given us the courage, wisdom and strength

to share our gifts and talents in humility.

In peace and understanding we share with each other.

Creator Spirit, we come together in prayer and thanksgiving

for the many blessings we have received.

Allow your Spirit to wash over us and give us strength,

to walk together, as one.