National Reconciliation Week 2023

Mr David Chilton | Head of Ministry & Service | 6 June 2023

Last week, St Luke’s Grammar School observed National Reconciliation Week (NRW). The dates for NRW remain the same each year - 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey - the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 was ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. The Community of St Luke’s were encouraged to listen carefully to voices of First Nation’s peoples and to use their voice to enact and advocate for reconciliation.

At St Luke’s we observed NRW in many ways:

  • Local Indigenous man Uncle Neil spoke at all 3 School Assemblies.
  • Our Junior Schools looked at stage appropriate books that help explain reconciliation and Indigenous culture and participated in activities relating to these books.
  • Senior School Pastoral Care groups considered how to look back to acknowledge history, look forward to aim for reconciliation and learn more about Indigenous voices.
  • In Chapels we heard about the ‘Uluru Statement from The Heart’ and how Indigenous voices can be heard. Each Chapel incorporated the voices of at least 7 different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders through videos, prayers and more. We considered a Christian approach to reconciliation and the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 which encourage us to pray and seek God for restoration.
  • Students wrote what they learnt about reconciliation on hands and flags which were combined to make an art installation.
  • The end of the week was marked with a celebration of culture as the school gathered for a performance by the Koomurri Dancers.
  • There was a book swap and a trivia night that raised funds for the Year 12 Charity – Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

The events of this past week are hopefully in no way ‘tokenistic’. Over the last year St Luke’s Grammar School have created an Indigenous Action Group who have been working on a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which has involved consulting local Indigenous elders and partnering with Narragunnawali - experts in Reconciliation in Education. Narragunnawali supports schools and early learning services to foster knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and contributions. A RAP Framework provides organisations with a structured approach to advance reconciliation. There are four stages to a RAP: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch & Elevate. St Luke’s are currently in the Reflect stage and are looking forward to finalising reflections and implementing proposed changes that demonstrate genuine recognition of and reconciliation with indigenous peoples and culture.

We have recently made some small changes including: an Acknowledgment of Country in our email footer, flags in every JS room, Indigenous PD for staff, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags for our flagpoles and connections with local Indigenous elders. We are also exploring a Yadha Muru partnership. Ultimately we want our school community to be aware of, acknowledge and celebrate Indigenous peoples and culture. We desire to provide opportunities for our Indigenous students to be recognised and share their culture and knowledge. We are seeking to enact the best practices for genuine reconciliation in a school setting. We pray for genuine reconciliation and yearn for a peaceful and united future.

Here are some insights into what students liked and learnt during National Reconciliation Week:

  • I enjoyed the smoking ceremony by the Koomurri dancers. It was really interesting to hear about their beliefs and how they cleanse evil spirits and welcome good ones. (Kayla, Year 10)
  • The reason we call Aboriginal elders Uncle and Auntie is as a sign of respect. (Sampson, Year 12)
  • It was amazing to think about what the Northern Beaches used to be like before colonisation. We learnt about how local Aboriginal people had 6 seasons and would move around following food sources. (Theo Year 12)
  • I liked that it was different to what we usually do. I’d never heard the songs or dances before. I loved that each song had a different meaning. (Riley, year 8)
  • I like how the school didn’t just focus on reconciliation this week but that we have a Reconciliation Action Plan to work on this and think about it all the time (Archie, Year 8)
  • I liked how we learned to be kind to each other and respect everyone. (Ayla, Year 2)
  • I liked how the Indigenous people got together and learning what reconciliation meant. I also liked being able to do the acknowledgment of country. It meant a lot to me as an Indigenous person. (Quin, Year 4)
  • I liked writing words of reconciliation on hand prints and displaying them (Billie, Year 5)
  • I learned that reconciliation means that it’s all about the past and Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. I loved the different instruments and learning about them and how to play them (Alice, Year 6)
  • I learned the Aboriginal culture is way bigger than I expected. The dances were really entertaining. (Ruya, Year 6)
  • I never knew that reconciliation meant to be sorry to the first people for us taking their land. (Sarah, Year 6)
  • I learnt about the ‘Uluru Statement from The Heart’. It was a very valuable thing for everyone to learn about. I had the opportunity to speak up about my Indigenous heritage and I was very grateful for the opportunity. (Hayley, Year 10)