WHAT DOES reconciliation mean to you? That's the question staff and students are answering as part of an activity for Reconciliation Week at Quirindi High School (QHS).
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The school is in the midst of embracing the annual week-long event, and is focusing on expanding the use of the Gamilaraay language into the classroom and school community.
The theme for Reconciliation Week 2020 is 'In This Together', and QHS Aboriginal community liaison officer Megan Outerbridge said it's a concept that resonates with the school's values.
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"With the COVID-19 pandemic, society has changed and we have had time to reflect and clarify what is really important to us - it's you, it's me, it's friends and its family, people drive our nation and humanity teaches us so much about reconciling with the sometimes hurtful pasts," she said.
"We will never ignore the past but use it to our advantage to move forward together."
Mrs Outerbridge said QHS offers a range of cultural experiences all year round, making the school community more diverse and tolerant.
Not only are school classrooms labelled using animal names in the Gamilaraay language, but staff have taken reconciliation one step further by engaging in lessons teaching the local Aboriginal language.
"This learning has created ownership, relationships, conversation, enlightenment, passion for language and more importantly.... a continued passion for teaching," Mrs Outerbridge said.
National Reconciliation Week runs from May 27 to June 3 every year, following National Sorry Day on May 26.