Catholic schools celebrated National Reconciliation Week (NRW) from 27 May – 3 June with a variety of activities, assemblies, Indigenous performances and prayerful experiences that reflected the 2019 theme, ‘Grounded in Truth: Walk together with Courage.’

Carroll College, Broulee commenced the week by attending the annual Sorry Day Moruya Bridge Walk organised by the Eurobodalla Aboriginal Boys to Men group. The march recognised Australia’s traditional land owners and paid respect to the Stolen Generation.

Over 200 St Gregory’s Primary School students walked in reconciliation with family, friends and local schools in Queanbeyan. The message was clear as students marched down the main street with a sign that said, ‘Proud to be part of the Ngunnawal Nation’.

In Canberra, a group of teachers attended a guided walk of Reconciliation Place as part of a professional learning experience, to discover the inspiring artworks and the stories behind them that are significant to Australia’s Aboriginal history. The guided Reconciliation Walk is run by the Australian Government’s National Capital Authority and is free for schools to participate in throughout the year.  

At Merici College in Canberra, students enjoyed bush tucker in the Indigenous Garden, watched dreamtime movies and participated in a collaborative art project. The College’s Narragunnawali Mob shared a celebratory cake and came together to acknowledge the First Nations at a community lunch.

At Sts Peter and Paul’s Primary School, Garran it was smiles all around when students and staff were treated to an interactive and engaging show by Indigenous performer Lucas Proudfoot from Circular Rhythm.

Library lessons at St Jude’s Primary School, Holder, explored the concept of Reconciliation. Students decorated cut-outs of hands and feet in the colours of the Aboriginal flag to resemble blossoms on poster trees.

Sacred Heart Central School, Cootamundra, Wiradjuri students used Indigenous craft to build bark nets that that drew inspiration from native flora to create a tree symbolic to the theme.

Students across the Archdiocese enjoyed learning about our shared histories, cultures and achievements during NRW and had fun learning about how we can work together towards reconciliation in Australia.