Indigenous Education at SVC

In line with our Catholic and EREA traditions the College is committed to standing in solidarity with those at the margins of our society. Through the leadership of our Director of Identity and Aboriginal Student Support Coordinator Mrs Bridget Jenkins we are working closely with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community to close the gap in educational and other social and economic indicators for the boys and families that form part of our community. St Virgil's enjoys a successful reputation in this area due to its track record of working with community to find out how we can them assist them in realising their aspirations for their sons and how we as a school can best approach the challenge of achieving genuine reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. 

The College has been nominated and short listed for a 2021 narragunnawali Award for its work in the Reconciliation area. 

The College has in place a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which has been developed with community and sets out our journey. The Plan and information about our Indigenous Education programmes can be found on the College website at https://www.stvirgils.tas.edu.au/our-college/about/reconciliation-action-plan

As part of our narragunnawali RAP Action, 'Caring for Country' we have made a commitment to actively connect with, and care for, the Country upon which our school stands. One of the ways we can do this is through the implementation of our tunapri makuminya Project, which this week has been published on to our website. 

The tunapri makuminya Project was created last year by young palawa scientist Jamie Graham Blair and contains an extensive listing of all plants on the Austins Ferry campus that have a cultural significance for Aboriginal people. It also has suggestions for cultural developments and conservation and regeneration plans for the area and will be a great resource for developing Aboriginal perspectives in our curriculum. 

It also provides meaningful opportunities to engage with the Aboriginal communities of lutruwita trowunna Tasmania and to learn about First Peoples' perspectives when caring for Country. Our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group has been involved in developing the tunapri makuminya Project and will use this alongside our RAP to further ensure that all members of our educational community become aware of the importance of First Nations land management and sustainability and are active participants in its ongoing care. 

The  tunapri makuminya Project is also available at https://www.stvirgils.tas.edu.au/our-college/about/reconciliation-action-plan g

Both documents feature the stunning artwork of the College's Aboriginal students.