Honouring Achievement, Culture, and Reconciliation at ESHS

The Esperance Clontarf Academy has enjoyed a strong and productive start to the term. Highlights so far include our junior boys claiming the trophy at the Junior Perth Basketball Carnival, while also making great progress with over half of our young men completing their annual health checks.

Despite a long 11-week term, the boys have maintained an impressive attendance rate of 82% so far, demonstrating their commitment to school and the Academy.

We are also looking forward to the upcoming Clontarf Senior Employment Forum Camp, which will provide valuable pathways and opportunities for our older boys. To round out the term, we are excited to celebrate NAIDOC Week and continue recognising and embracing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture within our Academy, school and community.

During Term 1, our Year 7 students were fortunate to participate in the Great Southern Reef Project with Esperance Community Arts. They learned the basics of pottery and created pinch pots with woven elements using materials collected from local beaches. It was wonderful to see the girls express their creativity and produce such beautiful pieces. Their artworks were displayed at a local exhibition, with funds raised being donated to the Great Southern Reef Project.

Our Year 9 students were given the opportunity to visit the local Volunteer Fire Service. During their visit, they toured the facility, tried on personal protective equipment (PPE), and had the chance to use the Jaws of Life and water hoses. It was a memorable and engaging experience, and we sincerely thank the volunteers for their time and for sharing their knowledge with our students.

To commemorate National Sorry Day, we welcomed Nana Annie Dabb and Annette Hanson to speak with the girls about the significance of the day and what it means to them personally. They shared stories of their lives growing up as young Aboriginal women, the challenges they faced, and the importance of continuing to share these experiences so that history is not repeated. Together, we shared food, listened to stories, and spent time connecting and supporting one another alongside our respected Elders.

Esperance Senior High School acknowledges National Sorry Day, a day of reflection, remembrance, and respect.

National Sorry Day is held each year on 26 May to recognise the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families and communities — the Stolen Generations. It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about our shared history and consider how we can contribute to healing and reconciliation.

At ESHS, students had the opportunity to take part in activities that encouraged reflection and understanding. During lunch, students created purple flowers that will be displayed in the library. The purple Native Hibiscus, also known as the Desert Rose or Native Cotton, is the symbolic flower of National Sorry Day. It represents the resilience and survival of the Stolen Generations, while its purple colour symbolises compassion, healing, and respect.

A special thank you to Ms Wright and Haylee for volunteering their time to support this activity, and to Mrs Howard for coordinating the event.

We are also proud to have students from Clontarf, Stars, FTD, and Year 8 HASS representing ESHS at the community Reconciliation Walk from Whale Tail to Tanker Jetty. Walking together is a powerful symbol of unity, respect, and the ongoing journey towards reconciliation. A special thank you to Mrs Cassam and Ms Docherty for taking the Year 8’s to participate in this event.