Reconciliation Action Plan News 

Relationships in the Classroom - Opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students 

This week our Reconciliation School visits continued with a visit from the Year 8 Aboriginal students from St Aloysius College. Accompanied by Aboriginal Student Support Teacher Anne McWatters, Food Studies Teacher Brian Green and their Deputy Principal Brad Canning, the boys arrived ready to participate in a fun day of experiences on Country in the lower grasslands of Austins Ferry.

The Year 8 Aboriginal students from SVC had prepared a good bonfire to welcome them, and they spent the morning getting to know each other and showing them around some of the special places near the creek and surrounding bushland. After recess, our boys went back to class and the St Al's boys, and their teachers were treated to a lesson by Mark 'Bushy' Smith in how to skin a wallaby and the process involved in tanning the hide. Afterwards they made a leather bracelet and had their lunch back by the fire. They observed some of the culturally significant plants we have growing here and made arrangements to come back and be involved in some of our upcoming conservation projects.

It was a great day, very chilly weather but very warm hearts, and a great beginning to what could become a very special connection between our Year 8 students and both our school communities.