National Reconciliation Week

A Full Week of Activities

On Monday, 25 March, Mazenod College proudly commenced our National Reconciliation Week activities with the focus of bringing together staff and students of all different cultures and backgrounds, so that we can all walk, learn and achieve together.

The week has been full of activities and kind gestures that we believe go far beyond just the connections we share with one another. These activities and gestures create strong support networks and provide education to people about the oldest living culture in the world.

The week commenced with the beautiful new bell sound of the didgeridoo which echoed across the grounds, creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Monday lunch time held a basketball game between the Indigenous All Starz (students) and teachers in the Oblate Hall.

The All Starz got off to a very fast start and thought it was enough to hold back the scary looking teachers. However, a clear age and height advantage seen the teachers storm back to take the victory. During recess and lunch on Tuesday, the First Nations students coordinated a ‘commitment stones’ activity at the Yarning Circle which saw staff and students write their commitment towards reconciliation on a stone and placed within the Yarning Circle.

The Yarning Circle also hosted a casual get together and feed between First Nations and non-First Nations staff and students during recess time where stories and much laughter’s were shared.

Wednesday lunch consisted of a ‘Learn a story activity’ where staff and students were welcomed to share an Indigenous story, historic event or something about the Indigenous culture for the chance to win a prize and enter in the raffle to win a Reconciliation Pack (Indigenous Tie, beaning, badge and chocolate). Thursday closed out our National Reconciliation Week celebration with some traditional games being help on the top oval.

All staff showed their support through attending and participating in as many National Reconciliation Week activities as they could and by wearing their Indigenous scarves and ties which were gifted to them at the beginning of the week.

Simon Hayward

Aboriginal Education Program Coordinator