Mission: Be Brave Make A Change
National Sorry Day, held on 26 May each year, is the commencement of Reconciliation Week. To mark this event, we held a Sorry Day Service. We acknowledged the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities.
Our Sign of SorrowÂ
National Sorry Day is the start of National Reconciliation Week and concluded today. Following Sorry Day, staff and students joined together to pledge their support to work for reconciliation with our Indigenous brothers and sisters.Â
Staff and students were invited to sign our very own Sorry Book, housed in the Chapel during the week. We also lit a candle to signify our sorrow for those taken away from their families.
Be Brave, Make a Change
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme is ‘Be Brave. Make A Change’. Santa Maria College longs to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all indigenous people. We know that our endeavours have fallen short of God’s love, and we want to change that. We want to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.Â
What We Are Doing
As part of our commitment to working towards reconciliation and showing our sorrow for the past injustices committed against our Indigenous brothers and sisters, we committed to one of the following actions:Â
- Don’t believe everything you hear about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on social media. Do your own research!
- Learn about the land your school or home is on.
- What are the native plants around where you live, and how were they traditionally used?
- Don’t be a bystander – speak up on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Buy Aboriginal owned clothing or jewellery.
- Find out the meaning behind the Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander flag.
- Examine your beliefs about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – is what you believe REALLY true?
- Don’t laugh at racist jokes regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.Â
- Know what is culturally appropriate when interacting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Stop stereotyping Aboriginal people.
The Way Forward
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
This year Reconciliation Australia asks everyone to bring about change, beginning with brave actions in our daily lives, where we live, work and socialise.Â
As a community of faith, we pray for the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better future for our nation.
Jilly Landers | Director of MissionÂ
Santa Maria Teams Shine in Term 1 Sports
Santa Maria had a huge number of girls in the IGSSA AFL and Volleyball competition with strong results for a number of teams.
Lee-Elle’s Insights from the ‘Make it 16’ Forum
Lee-Elle Cooper is a passionate Year 12 student who advocates for youth engagement and political participation. She has recently returned from the Make It 16 Forum in Canberra.
With Laurissa Knowles From Valley Depths to Mountain Peaks (1993)
Laurissa Knowles (1993) has had an incredible career journey so far, from Santa Maria College Teacher to Celebrant and Councillor.
- Faith, Featured
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
