By Alesha Capone
Grade 6 pupil Kristen has received an award for a poem she penned exploring the theme of reconciliation.
Kristen, who attends Corpus Christi Primary School in Werribee, was one of 20 pupils in Victoria recognised with a NAIDOC medal of excellence award, during NAIDOC Week earlier this year.
While NAIDOC Week celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements, it also runs a school initiative, which aims to provide children across Australia with a greater understanding of the importance of friendship and cultural diversity.
The poetry competition which Kristen entered was part of these activities.
Her poem includes the lines: “But we’ll make a change and unite as one, so Australia can be a place for everyone, we’ll work together, we’ll be kind, we’ll care about each other, and leave those bad days behind.” She also wrote: “We’ll show equality and we won’t discriminate, we will love not hate, because being together, is always better.”
The judging panel for the NAIDOC schools’ poetry competition included patrons of Koori Kids, Aboriginal elders and other members of the community.
Corpus Christi’s acting principal Viv Adamko presented Kristen with her NAIDOC medal of excellence.
A school staff member, Michelle Portelli, said: “All at Corpus Christi are not only proud of Kristen’s achievement, but touched by her powerful words.”
