Embracing Reconciliation

As we embark on another journey of learning and growth at the College today, we take a moment to reflect on a crucial aspect of our shared history – the reconciliation between Australians and First Nations people.

Our community is dedicated to instilling values of empathy, respect, and understanding in our students, preparing them to be compassionate leaders in an increasingly diverse world. A key part of this mission is acknowledging and reconciling the injustices experienced by Australia’s First Nations people.

The day began with a heartfelt Reconciliation Prayer reflection streamed to all Homerooms. During recess, the Awareness Arm of the Ministry Team, along with students from the Just Leadership group and senior students preparing for their trip to Punmu later this term, organised various awareness and fundraising activities.

Students signed the College Sorry Book and pledged to embrace several reconciliatory actions, showing their commitment to acknowledging past wrongs and healing with First Nations people. Other activities included an Acknowledgement of Country, making friendship bracelets in the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, participating in quizzes to test their knowledge of Aboriginal history, and raising funds for the Indigenous community in Punmu. It was heartwarming to witness the sincerity with which students participated in these activities.

Two of our Year 12 students reflected on the importance of Sorry Day.

Sorry Day is an important day for Annika. “It’s an important day to knowledge because it is only by recognising our past that we will be able to work towards reconciliation.”
 
Maame adds, “Sorry Day is important to me because it acknowledges the historical injustices faced by Indigenous Australians, fostering a sense of reconciliation and healing. It serves as a vital reminder of our shared responsibility to respect and support the ongoing journey towards equality and understanding.”
 

By embracing the rich cultural heritage of First Nations people, we deepen our understanding of what it means to be Australian. May our hearts be open to the journey of reconciliation, and may we walk this path together with courage, compassion, and hope.

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