Deputy Principal

National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week

Over the past week the College community has commemorated National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week in a number of ways. Firstly, staff and student representatives attended the Sorry Day services at Teralba Park and Kalinga Park. Secondly, in Homeroom, students reflected on the significance of the theme for Reconciliation Week this year, Be a Voice for Generations, by learning about the upcoming referendum on a First Nations’ Voice to Parliament. Finally, at our assembly yesterday, the College celebrated Reconciliation Week and the launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan. We were honoured to experience a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Uncle Joe Kirk and wonderful addresses about reconciliation by our students - Dakota, Xanthe and Tahni – and Mr Phillip Dreise. I extend a sincere thank you to everyone for their sharing and wise words. Thank you also to Eliah Browning who played the didgeridoo as part of the ceremony. 

A Journey to Healing

As part of the assembly Tahni also shared with us her artwork, A Journey to Healing. This artwork is a representation of the seven First Nations students at Mount Alvernia College - our Mt A Mob - and their stories. It is influenced by the theme for Reconciliation Week this year. The painting depicts the branches of two trees: a Golden Penda that is indigenous to this part of Meanjin and an olive tree that is symbolic of peace, friendship and healing. The Golden Penda reminds us of the long history of this place and the First Nations peoples who lived here long before it was claimed for the English Crown. The olive tree represents our place in Kedron. Olive trees are also a feature of hillsides in and around Assisi - where Saint Francis lived - and the Kidron valley in Jerusalem where Jesus preached. The olive branch is a symbol of peace. At the top of the painting is the hill of Kedron with the Tau cross and, at the bottom, the hands of Jesus and Saint Francis. These symbols, as well as the church outline at the bottom of the painting, represent the three Franciscan schools Mount Alvernia, Padua, and Saint Anthony’s. The continuous connected lines depict the interconnectedness of all living things - humans, animals, plants - and the natural world in relationship. These lines also represent connections to ancestors and lineage, the continuity of traditions, knowledge, and cultural heritage passed down through generations. The lines serve as a visual representation of the strong bond between past, present and future as we work towards reconciliation in our land. 

Reconciliation Action Plan

Our RAP has been developed over the past two years via the Narragunnawali platform and in consultation with our College community: staff, students and families. Our RAP is our formal commitment to national Reconciliation and documents how our school will strengthen relationships, respect and opportunities in the classroom, around the school and with the community. Our RAP is ambitious containing 21 actions – 14 mandatory actions and 7 additional actions to which the College community will commit. Over the coming months, we will publish in our newsletter some of the actions and deliverables that will guide our reconciliation journey over the coming year and in the years to come.

Leadership Recognition

This week we recognised our First Nations Ambassador for 2023: Tahni Dreise. Tahni was Mount Alvernia’s QATSIF Young Indigenous Leader for 2022. She has made a significant contribution to our College community as a member of Mt A Mob, her representation of the College at community events for Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week, as a participant in our immersion experience to Bunya Mountains and Cherbourg in 2020 and 2022, as coach of a school Netball team over the past two years, and alumna of the Saint Vincent de Paul Ozanam Leadership program. Tahni is also a gifted artist who, over the past two years, has generously contributed her skill in creating two artworks that represent our College’s commitment to reconciliation. We congratulate Tahni on her achievement.

Thank you Mrs King

This week we also recognised one of our past staff members: Mrs Shauna King. Mrs King retired from the College in 2020. During her time here, Mrs King gave much energy and wisdom to embedding understanding of and respect for First Nations peoples into our curriculum and College life. As a staff liaison for First Nations students, Mrs King established Mt A Mob and created a place of connection and belonging for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Mrs King also initiated the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan. In recognising Mrs King, the College presented her with a special gift from Niketa Law, an Aboriginal artist from Cherbourg. This painting celebrates Mrs King’s journey with the First Nations women from Mount Alvernia College, her advocacy and support. We wish Mrs King a happy and well-deserved retirement.