National Simultaneous Storytime is an initiative of the Australian Library and Information Association. A recently published book is chosen each year to be read in schools, early learning services and libraries around the country. This year’s book was a gorgeous pick – Bower Bird Blues. It had beautiful illustrations, a wash of calming watercolour shades of blue, greens and purple, created by author and artist Auro Parker. The narrative focused on a Bower Bird collecting blue items for their nest, always on the look out for the next perfect item until they found what truly made their heart happy – another Bower Bird. It was a beautiful book for introducing children to these native birds building their appreciation for the natural world, as well as a book that explored what makes us happiest – the things we collect in our lives or the people we love.

Reconciliation Week

This week is National Reconciliation Week across Australia. It is a chance to unite together as a nation in support of our First Nations people, to recognise the suffering caused by attitudes and actions of the past and to work together to create a better country for everyone. It is also a chance to address the ongoing disadvantage faced by our First Nations people even today.

As a service working with young children, we are committed to embedding First Nations perspectives into teaching and learning at our Preschool. We strive to provide opportunities for students to learn about the rich cultural heritage of Australia’s first people. We seek to build an appreciation for country and preserving the plants and animals that are a part of country. We seek to build an understanding that each of us is unique and valued, and to embrace the rich diversity of cultural backgrounds, strengths and ways of learning that our students bring with them to preschool.

Our service is currently in the process of developing a Reconciliation Action Plan. If this is something you would like to support us with or be involved with please speak with our Director Bec, or Educational Leader Kim. We would love for you to join us and be a part of our Action Committee for this process.

This week – as part of Reconciliation Week – the students will be involved in enriching and adding to our ELC acknowledgement of country, adding their voices to this acknowledgement that we share in each day. On Friday of this week – the 31st of May – there is a no uniform day for all students at St Anthony’s school or preschool. Instead students can come wearing clothes in the colours of the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or Australian flags, or they can wear clothes that represent their own cultural background. There will be a Reconciliation Liturgy held in the school hall at 12pm, and a march for Reconciliation on the oval in the afternoon.