This week, the Carroll College community has paused to commemorate National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week, two significant events that invite us to reflect deeply on our shared history and ongoing journey toward healing and unity.

National Sorry Day, observed annually on May 26, is a solemn reminder of the experiences of the Stolen Generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families and communities. It is a time to acknowledge the pain, grief and loss that continues to affect Indigenous families and communities across Australia.

To honour this important day, Indigenous students from Carroll College, along with members of our Student Leadership Team, participated in the Sorry Day Bridge Walk in Batemans Bay. This walk was a powerful symbol of unity and reflection, where our students stood in solidarity with the local community to remember those impacted by these injustices.

We were immensely proud to see three of our Indigenous students speak during the official ceremony. Their words offered insight, strength, and hope, and reminded us all of the importance of truth-telling and listening. Through their leadership, they not only honoured the past but also reinforced Carroll College’s commitment to reconciliation and respect within our broader community.

Sorry Day also marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, held from May 27 to June 3. This year’s theme – ‘Bridging now to next’ – encourages all Australians to consider how we can each contribute to a more unified, equitable future. The College started reconciliation week by listening to a reading of the book ‘We Are Australians’ by Duncan Smith and Nicole Godwin, a beautifully written and illustrated reflection on identity, belonging and respect.

Following this, students across the school created ‘Sorry Hands’, a creative and thoughtful activity where they expressed how we, as individuals and as a school community, are working towards reconciliation. Students identified ways we can deepen our commitment, including listening with empathy, learning more about Indigenous cultures, and actively supporting truth and justice.

As we move through Reconciliation Week, we encourage every member of our community to carry forward the spirit of these events, not just during this time of national reflection, but every day. Together, through understanding, respect, and action, we can contribute to a brighter and more reconciled future.