Dear Parents and Carers

Kambarang has well and truly settled in over the past weeks. We are noticing increased flowering of the bilyara (Banksia), the busy and vocal koolbardi (magpies), and with the increased heat, we say ‘Aliwa noorn!’ (watch out for snakes!). Being aware of Noongar seasons and the way they describe changes in Country, as well as learning animal names and expressions, are ways of building understanding of and respect for Noongar culture within our school community.

On Friday 3 November, we made a significant step in our Frederick Irwin Anglican School journey towards reconciliation. Our Halls Head campus hosted an event we named Bindjareb Kaadadjan (knowledge), where Friend of our School, Mr George Walley, led a panel discussion with Community Leaders, Mr Franklyn Nannup, Mr Ricky Ugle and Mr Brett Hill to share stories of their youth and share some impacts Stolen Generations policies had on the local community. Our Year 5 and 6 students listened and learned from the Elders as they chatted and had the opportunity to ask questions. 

At the end of the discussion, some poignant advice from the panel included the importance of demonstrating respect for all people no matter where who they are, to respect the land, but also to learn and use some Noongar language because that is a way of showing respect for the people who know the land, having lived here for thousands of years. We are very grateful to our esteemed guests for their generosity in sharing their cultural knowledge, stories and time. In her thank you to the panel, Mrs Gray related our school motto, The Truth Will Set You Free, to our reconciliation journey. 

We acknowledge and learn from the wrongdoing of the past and we educate ourselves to work towards a better future for all Australians – because that’s what reconciliation is.

Nat Burbage
Deputy Head of Primary - Halls Head