Last year, St Brigid’s voted to have the Hunter River turtle as our mascot. The decision followed much research on threatened species in our area. At the time we donated $300 to the Aussie Ark Hunter River turtle enclosure at the Australian Reptile Park.

To continue our support, last week we celebrated World Turtle Day. All students were invited to come to school out of uniform for the cost of a gold coin. I am pleased to say we raised another $509 to donate to Aussie Ark.

Students participated in lots of turtle learning. Literacy-based activities, a Dreaming story, turtle craft, and turtle research were just some of the activities on the day. Our school is immensely proud of being actively involved in helping this threatened species.

On Wednesday last week (27 May), our Junior AECG conducted our prayer reflection for National Sorry Day. St Brigid’s students created the sacred space with items including laying a wreath of native hibiscus, the flower that represents the resilience of the Stolen Generation, a burnt log to symbolise the past, some earth to represent the present, and some native plants from our school grounds to represent a future where we as a nation are reconciled.

Father Joyce joined us to read the Scripture. Craig Duncan, Indigenous Education Office from the Catholic Schools Office also attended. We adorned our front school fence with native hibiscus flowers coloured in by each class in the school and a banner that read "St Brigid's says Sorry".

Two of our Year 5 boys joined Mr Wilson in playing the didgeridoo, and our Year 5 girls performed a moving reflective dance to the prayer. Many families were welcomed into our school to be witness to our service. 

On Thursday, we kicked off Reconciliation Week at morning assembly with one of our Year 2 classes acting out the Dreaming story of the first Worimi. A P&F-provided morning tea then followed at our canteen.

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