Looking to integrate this day into your lesson plans? Read on for some history of the event and some tips from the teachers on the Teach Starter team to get you started.
What Is National Sorry Day?
National Sorry Day, also known as the National Day of Healing, is an annual observance in Australia that is held each May to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of the country's Indigenous peoples, particularly the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families, known as the Stolen Generations. The event was first held in 1998 and is a time for reflection, mourning, and healing for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians alike. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing work that needs to be done to address the lasting impacts of these past injustices and to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.When Is National Sorry Day 2023?
National Sorry Day is held each year on the 26th of May. In 2023, this will be on a Friday. It is also a lead-in to National Reconciliation Week, which runs from 27 May to 3 of June.Resources to Teach the National Apology
Are you looking to write an acknowledgement of country with your class or teach about the national apology? Here are a few activities for National Sorry Day to get you started.- Worksheets to help students build empathy, such as the I Am Sorry – Poem and Discussion Questions.
- Transcripts of the National Apology with accompanying activities for developing historical understanding, available for Middle and Upper Years.
- Posters for building vocabulary, including Why Teach about Racism? and Why Teach About the Stolen Generations?
- Craft Activities to engage younger students in the topic of the National Apology, such as the National Sorry Day – Reconciliation Hand.
