RENews

Welcome to Country- Wurundjeri

As we gather on this sacred traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people let us open ourselves and  celebrate - Welcome to Country  by Aunty Joy Murphy.

National Reconciliation Week  

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Over the past fortnight and continuing through into this week the staff and students have engaged in stories about the history of our nation and the Native Australian peoples whilst always maintaining respectful relationships amongst all peoples. 

On Friday 20th May, the Faith and Fire Carrier Leaders participated in an off-site activity at Parade College, Bundoora. The aim of the session was to provide our students with an experience, awareness and deeper understanding of the meaning of National Reconciliation from an Indigenous perspective. This primary program began with a Welcome to Country and was followed by indigenous guest speakers.

As well to the school-based learning, all students participated in an indigenous cultural dance taught by the Yarrabah Cultural Dance Group. 

The story and dance was retold in song formation. The story of a 'Whale's' journey that travelled up and down the east coast of Australia has been told by ancestors for years. It is particular to the community in Yarrabah in far north Queensland. 

It is important that we at St Raphael's provide opportunities to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across a range of domains within the curriculum and across all year levels.