Reconciliation at St Virgil's 

Given that National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) coincides with the production of this OVAtion edition, we asked Bridget Jenkins, the  Director of Identity / Aboriginal Student Support Teacher at St Virgil’s College to give Old Virgilians an insight into what has been achieved at the College and what is envisaged.

Last November, Reconciliation Australia announced St Virgil’s College as winners of the third Narragunnawali Awards; the National awards that recognise and celebrate Australian schools and early learning services that are implementing outstanding reconciliation initiatives. Held biennially since 2017, the Narragunnawali Awards incorporate primary, secondary, senior secondary and combined schools within the Government, Independent and Catholic sectors and acknowledge the ways in which schools strengthen relationships, build respect, and provide meaningful opportunities in the classroom, around the school, and with the community.

This was a wonderful affirmation of the work we have been doing for many years across both campuses of the College and acknowledges the commitment and aspirations we share as members of a very special learning community. We are blessed to have such supportive staff, students and families at both campuses who everyday make our reconciliation actions so meaningful; they continuously find ways to engage in wanting to learn more and significantly to un-learn and to re- learn. Being able to share stories, resources and landscapes with our wider community, with EREA schools and other Catholic schools in lutruwita/Tasmania has added great depth to our programmes and helped us move in directions we hadn’t anticipated at the start.

Our RAP Working Group is one of our greatest strengths and continues to provide advice, strategic direction, information, discussion and learning. We are extremely thankful for the generous and valued time and presence of the Aboriginal Community who have been courageous in their sharing and openness when helping us to heal and renew our relationships and our environments. The contribution of young palawa mentors Trent Prouse (SVC -2007-2010) and Jamie Graham Blair have helped to engage our students and staff in the most beautiful and meaningful way and have made us even more determined to ensure all of our reconciliation initiatives are genuine, authentic and always co-created with Aboriginal people. Our responses in both words and deeds reflect the deep commitment we all share to help heal the hurts of the past and move together into a truthful and reconciled shared future. 

We sincerely thank all of the people who have so profoundly contributed to our Reconciliation Actions but most of all we give thanks for the presence and language of the Land itself, both at Austins Ferry and under the streets of nipaluna/Hobart. What we are beginning to learn, by being open and honest and willing, is transforming, and to have such wise and generous Aboriginal friends guiding us along is pretty special indeed!