Dear Parents and Carers

National Reconciliation Week
The Stolen Generations is a harrowing time in Australia’s recent past and we all have a role to play in understanding its enduring impacts and contributing productively in the journey towards healing. Knowledge builds greater understanding and empathy. An educated society holds governments to account in ensuring such atrocities never be allowed to happen to children and families again. 

Monday 26th May National Sorry Day
In 2008, the then Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, made an important speech where he apologised on behalf of the Australian Government and said sorry for the pain that had been caused by removing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families for nearly 100 years. National Sorry Day is a time to remember the Stolen Generations and recognise the healing power of the word sorry. Students will be participating in a lesson about National Sorry Day and the power of an apology.

Tuesday 27th May Illustrator Visit
The acclaimed Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, illustrator of Bruce Pascoe’s 2020 picture book, Found, will be joining us for a very special illustrator talk at no cost to families. Charmaine is renowned for working with pastels to create vibrant and striking illustrations that tell their own story.

Wednesday 28th May Community Events
Families are warmly welcome to join us for two special events. We hope you can join us:

2:35-3:10pm National Reconciliation Week assembly in the hall
3:30-5:00pm National Reconciliation Week afternoon tea and activities 

Throughout the week, students will also:
- develop a 2025 class Acknowledgement of Country
- engage in a lesson about National Reconciliation Week
- understand and respond to literature by Aboriginal authors and illustrators during library lessons
- view a video composed by our Deadly Kids explaining what National Reconciliation Week means to them

Congratulations
At last week’s P&C meeting, Hannah was unanimously elected to the role of Secretary for 2025. I want to thank Hannah, along with the rest of the P&C executive committee, for their admirable and deeply appreciated commitment to serving the whole school community in a voluntary capacity. 

School Attendance
I recently met with the Department’s Home-School Liaison Officer who monitors the attendance rates of students across the network. Canterbury has been praised for exemplary practices and programs to maximise student attendance. This is the result of strong partnerships between home and school. What a team!

Vinnies
Canterbury is fortunate to receive the support of St Vincent de Paul Society this year which has allowed us to top up learning materials including stationery and art supplies. The school will also trial a Breakfast Club to ensure every child has a full belly and is ready to learn each day thanks to Vinnies. Keep an eye out for an email with details. A very special thank you to Joanne, the Vinnies Van Services Coordinator for the Sydney Metropolitan Region for making this happen.

Is your SZapp up to date?
If you are experiencing any problems with SZapp we recommend checking for a recent update that may resolve your issue.

How do I check my SZapp version?

1. Open SZapp
2. Press the ‘Burger Menu’  in the Left Hand Corner
3. Your SZapp version will be listed at the bottom of this page
4. If it does not say 6.0.12, you will need to update your version of SZapp and may also need to update your phone’s OS (operating system). For a guide on updating an IOS device please click here. For a guide on updating an Android device please click here.
   
   

Cross-country Regional Representatives
We have quite the collection of talented athletes heading to Regionals next month. Congratulations, Viv, Meg, Frankie, Olivia R, Emilia, Judah, Reuben and Mikele.

Tracy Considine
Principal