Faith and Mission - National Reconciliation Week

This National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June 2025), our school proudly joins communities across Australia to reflect on our shared history and work toward a united future. The theme this year, “Bridging Now to Next,” encourages us to connect the lessons of the past with the possibilities of tomorrow. This theme challenges us to think about how our actions today can create a stronger, more respectful relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Australians. It’s about building bridges that lead to understanding, respect and reconciliation—not just now, but in the future.

Our school community engaged in several meaningful activities throughout the week:

• Fire Carrier Leaders Stall: The Fire Carrier Leaders—which stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education—hosted lunchtime stalls selling First Nations products and jelly in the colours of the Aboriginal Flag. All proceeds from the stall were donated to the Opening the Doors Foundation, an organisation that supports First Nations students in Victoria to access education and achieve their goals.
• Art and Craft Workshops in the Library: Students explored Indigenous art through creative projects, connecting with culture and storytelling while expressing their own interpretations of reconciliation.
• Truth Telling Statement in Religious Education: In Religious Education classes, students engaged deeply with Truth Telling by committing to a Statement and boldly writing this statement on a section of a serpent designed by a First Nations student. Each section of then Serpent will be joined together and be displayed in our College as a giant Serpent, symbolising our commitment to Reconciliation This activity gave students the opportunity to discuss the vital role of truth-telling in reconciliation and exploring the spiritual significance of storytelling in First Nations cultures.
• Wominjeka Sign: Throughout the week a sign stating Wominjeka has been proudly displayed at the front of our College, Wominjeka meaning Welcome in Wurrundjerri language. Fire Carrier leaders created the design of the sign and assisted in the significant planning behind the idea.

Reconciliation is more than a week of activities—it’s a daily commitment to respect, learn and support one another. Our school community is proud to contribute to this journey, building bridges from “now” to “next” through education, empathy and action.

Let’s continue to walk this path together—today and every day.

JULIA STOKES
Social Justice Leader

Issue 7: 4 June 2025