National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
As a Catholic school, we have offered our students the opportunity to celebrate this critical week and to understand more about issues affecting our Indigenous sisters and brothers. This work has been supported by Statements by the Australian Catholic Bishops and the Sisters of Mercy.
On Monday, students came along at lunchtime to view a screening of the 1967 Referendum. They were given some insight into the upcoming 2023 Referendum, drawing from the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
On Thursday, students came along to a screening of the Uluru Statement from the Heart Background, produced by Blackfella Films.
At lunchtime on Friday, a panel of staff and students explored some of the various issues and points of view around the upcoming Referendum.
All week, there were displays in the Learning Commons of books by First Nations people, as well as books connected to First Nations' histories, culture and achievements.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference endorsed the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2021, with the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia taking the same step last year. The bishops encouraged Catholic parishes, schools and agencies to arrange opportunities for people to read the document and discuss their response to its key messages.
Read the full statement.