Sydney primary school raises eyebrows after forcing students to take part in bizarre Acknowledgement of Country act at assembly
A primary school caused an uproar after pupils were forced to chant: ‘Aboriginal land has always been here and always will be here’ at the start of every assembly.
The Sydney At school, children are instructed to place their hands on the ground and repeat the words as part of the recognition of their country.
A mother from the Blue Mountains region, who did not want to name the school, said “a lot of people” would not be aware this was happening.
“(The children) now have to touch the ground at the start of the assembly at school and say ‘it was always Aboriginal land, and it always will be,’” she said. news.com.au.
‘Many parents look confused as they put their hands on the ground for the Recognition of the Fatherland’.
Another parent confirmed that touching the ground had been common practice for some time.
The mother added an updated anthem that also used the didgeridoo and sticks, replacing the traditional version.
Versions of the anthem featuring Aboriginal instruments are listed on the Prime Minister and Cabinet website under Official Recordings of the Australian National Anthem. These have been used in schools for several years.
A primary school raised eyebrows after pupils were made to chant ‘Aboriginal land has always been here and always will be here’ at the start of every assembly (stock image)
The New South Wales Department of Education encourages staff to distribute a Welcome to the Country or Word of Recognition at meetings, events and gatherings.
“One of our goals is to create greater understanding and respect for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and their cultures in our workplaces, schools and communities as a whole,” the website states.
‘By adhering to these protocols and participating in this cultural practice, we also promote understanding and respect for Aboriginal cultural practices.
‘We encourage all employees to provide a Welcome to the Country and/or Recognition of the Country at every meeting, event or other gathering.’
Dr. Bella d’Abrera, director of the Foundations of Western Civilization Program at the Institute of Public Affairs, described the primary school law as a “horrific example of activism.”
“While such activities are not mandatory in schools, many teachers feel compelled to carry them out as the national curriculum prioritizes Indigenous issues in the classroom, and activists in the education sector push this agenda,” she said.
‘Activism is not allowed in any classroom in Australia.’
This came after officials were asked to remove their shoes and wiggle their toes during a Welcome to the Country event last month.
A Welcome to Country can only be given by traditional owners or custodians of the land on which the event takes place (pictured are performers at a Welcome to Country)
Staff from the Queensland Department of Justice and the Attorney-General’s Office in Brisbane recently attended an awards ceremony, which began with a Welcome to Country.
They were asked to take off their shoes, wiggle their toes and close their eyes to feel more connected to the earth, the Courier Mail reported.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General confirmed that a Welcome to the Country event was held during the event.
“A Welcome to the Country or Recognition of the Country is held during government-organized events such as award ceremonies and conferences,” he said.
‘They can take many forms and often vary depending on the nature of the event and the presenter.
‘A Welcome to the Land may, for example, consist of singing, dancing or smoking ceremonies.’