‘Grounded in truth, walk together with courage’ was the theme for National Reconciliation Week this year.
While we celebrated National Reconciliation Week through formal events such as the Junior School Assembly and Senior School Muster, the main focus was on generating robust conversations in the classroom. This was promoted by facts shared on digital signboards around the School and a daily challenge for students to engage with videos, articles, language and stories about Aboriginal people and culture. Uncle John Lochowiak began both the Junior School Assembly and Senior School Muster with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country.
Students then led a question and answer session with Uncle John to launch a new Keystone tile called ‘Ask Uncle John’. The tile allows teachers and students to submit questions about Aboriginal history and culture as they arise. Over 60 students and teachers have submitted questions over the past week.
National Reconciliation Week shines a spotlight on building positive relationships and understanding between broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. St Peter’s College is dedicated to seeing change in this space every day through our commitment to a School-wide Reconciliation Action Plan. There are passionate groups of Junior School and Senior School staff and students who contribute to the development, implementation and review of our School’s action plan. If this is something you are interested in being a part of, please contact me at scabot@stpeters.sa.edu.au
Stephanie Cabot
Indigenous Program Coordinator
