From the Leadership Team
As we wrap up another busy week at the College, we also look ahead to an important time in the life of our nation and our students, National Reconciliation Week.
Held each year from 27 May to 3 June, this week invites all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to reconciliation in Australia.
If you weren’t sure, May 27 marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum, when Australians voted to remove discriminatory clauses in the Constitution against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
June 3 commemorates the landmark 1992 Mabo decision, where the High Court of Australia recognised native title and overturned the legal doctrine of terra nullius.
The theme for 2025 is “Bridging Now to Next,” reflecting the ongoing connection between past, present and future.
Reconciliation is a powerful word. According to Reconciliation Australia, at its heart, reconciliation is about “strengthening relationships between Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.”
When I listened recently to Jack Buckskin, a Kaurna man and friend of the College, some of his words really resonated. He reminded us that it’s OK not to know everything about our past or about First Nations people and culture; what matters is approaching it with genuine curiosity and a desire to understand.
What a valuable message—not just for reconciliation, but for all learning. In an age often dominated by quick judgments and social media soundbites, returning to a genuine, grassroots sense of curiosity is truly refreshing.
Students at Endeavour College will be immersed in a range of learning experiences throughout Reconciliation Week. These will include opportunities to engage with Indigenous history, culture, and spirituality.
On Friday, the entire College community will participate in a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, a deeply valued tradition in our reconciliation journey.
Weather permitting, the ceremony will take place from 8:50am to approximately 9:15am in the Eastern Yard near the basketball courts. Standing together on the land, with the grass beneath our feet and the cool morning air, is a meaningful way to connect with Country.
Parents are warmly invited to attend if they are able. In the event of rain, the ceremony will move to the Endeavour Centre. Due to space constraints in that venue, parent attendance will unfortunately not be possible indoors.
We’ll provide updates as the week progresses.
We look forward to this special week, to continuing our journey and deepening our commitment to reconciliation as we celebrate the richness of our Indigenous cultures and communities.
Peter Pearse
Deputy Principal
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." — 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NIV)