2020 Banyule Children’s Gift Appeal
We are proud to be a part of the 2020 Banyule Children’s Gift Appeal. This important community program has been running for over 20 years to provide quality new gifts, toys and vouchers to local children and families experiencing financial hardship.
In 2019, 475 local children received gifts, all thanks to community donations. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many families so there are more children experiencing disadvantage this year.
You can donate a new toy for a primary aged child
We have been collecting quality new toys at school during November and we are asking for further donations. Your children can bring these in their school bags and bring them to the office. Alternatively, please call the school office so that you can speak to the team about dropping off your donation to the front of the school. All donations must be received by this Friday the 27th of November to allow for the processing and distribution of all gifts in line with COVID-19 protocols. We appreciate your support, no matter how small becuase everyhing will make a difference.
You can make a direct donation
There is also an option to make a direct cash donation. All money donated to the Banyule Children’s Gift Appeal will be used to purchase toys and gifts for children under 12 and $30 Ultimate Gift Cards for children 12 to 16 years of age. Tax deductible donations can be made through Diamond Valley Community Support:
New Flagpoles
We recently installed three new flagpoles in the playground and our School Captains have taken on the responsibility of raising and lowering the flags each day.
Here is some information about the meaning of the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from School Captains Nidhi, Rose, Rohan and Nick:
Australian, and Torres Strait Islander flags:
The Australian Flag
The Australian flag has 3 elements on a royal blue background, the Union Jack is placed in the upper left corner of the flag to acknowledge the history of the British settlement. Below it is a white 7 pointed star called the Commonwealth or Federation star. The 7 points represent the states and territories of Commonwealth Australia. On the right side of the flag there is the Southern Cross, shown in white. This famous grouping or constellation of stars can only be seen from the southern hemisphere, and is a reminder of Australia’s geography.
The Aboriginal Flag
The top half of the Aboriginal is black to symbolise the Aboriginal people. The lower half is red to represent the earth and ochre, (a hard red clay) which has a great ceremonial significance in aboriginal culture. In the centre of the flag there is a yellow circle, this represents the sun.
The Torres Strait Islander Flags
In the Torres Strait Islander flag the two stripes of green on the bottom and top of the flag represent the land, where the central blue area represents the sea, in the blue area, there is a white dhari, as a dancer’s headdress. Underneath the dhari is a five pointed star, the points show the 5 major island groups in the Torres Strait, and the white also symbolises peace, this star also represents navigation, it also shows the nature of sea-faring culture in the Torres strait. The flag symbolises the unity and identity of all Torres Strait Islanders.
Our School Captains have been sharing this information with students throughout the school. We are looking forward to welcoming Robert Young back into the school next year to lead our Indigenous learning program.
Justine Mackey