National Reconciliation Week (NRW) at Ascham was a moving and significant celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, language and country. We embraced the theme ‘Be Brave, Make Change’ with heart and soul!
NRW began with Year 12 students Grace Gibson and Ruby Madden sharing their powerful and very personal experiences during Senior School Assembly.
On Saturday of NRW our sporting teams stood out on the fields and courts as they proudly wore the Ascham Reconciliation jersey, designed and painted by Ascham Old Girls Shakirah Stevens and Destiny Peris when they were in Year 12 in 2019.
For a second Senior School Assembly, Year 9 Drama performed two excellent self-devised pieces: The Stolen Child, which explored the impact of separation on family and community when a child is removed by authorities; and Journey, a dramatic interpretation of the experience of Stolen Generation victims.
Activities right across the week included:
- Special guests from Gujaga Foundation in La Perouse ran Dharawal language workshops for all staff and students each day of NRW
- The popular rapper Dobby entertained Senior students at lunchtime
- A Books & Breakfast was held in the Senior School Library with special guest author Lisa Fuller, a Wuilli Wuilli woman
- We were honoured to host Walangari Karntawarra, who led students from Hillingdon to Senior School in building a spectacular sand painting around our new fig tree, honouring our former old tree and welcoming the new.
It was truly a wonderful week of celebrations and commitment to Ascham School’s reconciliation journey.
Watch our National Reconciliation Week 2022 video:
