Faith and Community
St. Joseph's College
Reconciliation Week 2025: Bridging Now to Next
This year's Reconciliation Week theme - 'Bridging Now to Next' - calls our school community into a spirit of reflection, action and hope as we continue walking together on the journey of truth-telling, justice and healing. The theme encourages us to consider how we honour the past, respond with integrity in the present, and build a reconciled future grounded in respect and unity.
Our celebration this week commenced with a whole-school liturgy bringing together students, and staff to reflect on the significance of reconciliation in our lives and our land. The liturgy wove together stories, symbols and prayer, highlighting the voices and strength of First Nations peoples and our shared responsibility to create a just and compassionate future. The liturgy began with a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Aunty Vicki Walker, followed by thoughtful introductions from our College captains Oliver Williams and Olivia Batchelor.
Our Nicholls Leaders, Sophiea Ketteridge and Abbey Shortis guided us in prayer. While our College Choir added to the experience with this year’s Reconciliation theme song and performance of ‘Solid Rock’ and ‘Our Island Home’. Kildare Campus Captains Ashlyn Carter and Marlon Micalizzi, shared Scripture Readings.
This year, our Living Justice Living Peace (LJLP) students created an artistic representation of a long neck turtle shell, a powerful image that echoes the Yorta Yorta Nations totem. Each student and staff member contributed to the artwork by adding their own woven pattern, colour, or message of reconciliation, symbolising how every member of our community plays a vital role in caring for Country and walking together in unity.
A significant moment within our celebration was the induction of new FIRE Carriers (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education). Our LJLP student leader Ella Hickey, shared with us the meaning behind the FIRE acronym and how the message reflects the heart of the College’s commitment towards justice.
The new FIRE Carriers were blessed by Aunty Donna, Aunty Vicki & Mr Armfield in a powerful ritual of warming hands over the flame, by signifying their role as keepers of truth, peace and justice in our school and beyond. These students and staff have taken on the role of ambassadors for reconciliation.
Our FIRE Carriers actively support and lead the school’s ongoing commitment to the four key cornerstones of the FIRE Carrier Covenant:
Ecological Stewardship
We continue to deepen our understanding of the connection between caring for Country and honouring First Nations knowledge. Our commitment includes ongoing education about Indigenous ecological wisdom, sustainable practices, and protecting the land for future generations.
Spirituality
We remain grounded in the spiritual traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, recognising the sacredness of land, sky, and sea. Through prayer, stillness, and storytelling, we continue to create spaces for spiritual reflection and respectful encounter with Country.
Cultural Recognition and Awareness
We are committed to continually growing in our understanding and celebration of First Nations cultures, histories, and contributions. Through inclusive learning experiences, we honour the voices and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Practical Reconciliation and Justice
We take purposeful action for justice by embedding reconciliation into the life of our school. This includes student-led initiatives, ongoing partnerships, advocacy, and acts of solidarity that build bridges between communities and nurture truth and healing.
Congratulations to our newly inducted Fire Carriers both staff and students, may you wear your badges with pride.
Staff: Suzanne Pola, Shari Gotch, Ange Tutty, Tammy McLeish, Helen Fontana, Rosalind Patterson & Claire Hogan
Students: Indi Atkinson, Hope Ketteridge, Parker Goulding & Mac Campbell
A huge thank you to Noah Makepeace who shared with us his gifts and culture in playing the yidaki to signal the beginning of our Liturgy.
Lee Pethybridge
Faith and Community Leader
Holly Morris
Liturgy Support Leader