Staff and students at Casey Grammar School marked the lead-up to National Reconciliation Week with a whole school Smoking Ceremony on Friday 24 May.
The special event set the tone for a week filled with activities and events, aimed at fostering understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Along with a cooking class and an excursion to the art exhibition at Bunjil Place, the schedule for the Reconciliation Week included a Sorry Day Ceremony held on Monday, where students reflected on the significance of the National Apology and the ongoing journey towards reconciliation.
Additionally, a special screening of the documentary ‘Occupation: Native’ was held after school, inviting staff, students, and parents to gain deeper insights into the history and experiences of Indigenous Australians.
“Holding the Smoking Ceremony was a very special event for Casey Grammar School,” principal Fiona Williams said.
“Our whole school – students, teachers, and staff – joined together to mark this occasion and to acknowledge the importance of everything National Reconciliation Week embodies.
“The ceremony provides an opportunity for everyone in the school to witness a custom that has long been part of Aboriginal culture and to learn the special meaning behind it.
“I think every student and member of our school community left the ceremony feeling they had been part of something powerful and moving.”
The school’s commitment to National Reconciliation Week underscores its dedication to creating an inclusive environment where the contributions and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised and celebrated.
