ASC Reconciliation Action Plan 2020

REFLECT

RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN June 2020 - June 2021

CONTENTS

ARTWORK STATEMENT

CEO STATEMENT | KAREN MUNDINE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

CEO STATEMENT | PETER LAURENCE

OUR RAP

OUR PARTNERSHIP

OUR MISSION AND PURPOSE

RELATIONSHIPS

RESPECT

OPPORTUNITIES

GOVERNANCE

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ARTWORK STATEMENT MY COUNTRY by ANNA PRICE PETYARRE In the painting depicted on the cover, Anna Petyarre illustrates the multi-layered elements associated with her country, Atneltyeye, or Boundary Bore, on the Utopia Homelands. In the tradition of ancient sand drawings, she has painted her country from an aerial perspective, using the natural earth colours of her birthplace.

The finely dotted linear design relates to her country and its geographical formations - the long lines of sand hills and watercourses meandering between them. The design also relates to the importance these have to Anna’s ancestral stories, including their origins in the creation mythology of this area, which she imbues with a feminine sensitivity which is distinctive. In her paintings she refers to both the country in its physical appearance and to the ceremonies that take place there and that continue to nurture the land and the creation ancestors who created it, as well as the people still living in it.

Anna Petyarre (Pitjara) is an eastern Anmatyerre woman, born in Utopia in 1960. She is renowned for her fine painting technique and for the care and pride she takes in her work, producing intricate and sensitive paintings that relate to the traditional culture of her Anmatyerre heritage.

This artwork is proudly displayed in the ASC head office.

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CEO STATEMENT MESSAGE FROM RECONCILIATION AUSTRALIA Reconciliation Australia is delighted to welcome The Anglican Schools Commission to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program and to formally endorse its inaugural Reflect RAP. As a member of the RAP community, The Anglican Schools Commission joins over 1,000 dedicated corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have formally committed to reconciliation through the RAP program since its inception in 2006. RAP organisations across Australia are turning good intentions into positive actions, helping to build higher trust, lower prejudice, and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Reconciliation is no one single issue or agenda. Based on international research and benchmarking, Reconciliation Australia defines and measures reconciliation through five critical dimensions: race relations; equality and equity, institutional integrity; unity; and historical acceptance. All sections of the community—governments, civil society, the private sector, and Aboriginal and Strait Islander communities—have a role to play to progress these dimensions.

The RAP program provides a framework for organisations to advance reconciliation within their spheres of influence.

This Reflect RAP provides The Anglican Schools Commission a roadmap to begin its reconciliation journey. Through implementing a Reflect RAP, The Anglican Schools Commission will lay the foundations for future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives.

We wish The Anglican Schools Commission well as it takes these first critical steps in its reconciliation journey. We encourage the organisation to embrace this journey with open hearts and minds, to grow from the challenges, and to build on the successes. As the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation reminded the nation in its final report: “Reconciliation is hard work—it’s a long, winding and corrugated road, not a broad, paved highway. Determination and effort at all levels of government and in all sections of the community will be essential to make reconciliation a reality.”

On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I commend The Anglican Schools Commission on its first RAP, and look forward to following its ongoing reconciliation journey.

Karen Mundine Chief Executive Officer Reconciliation Australia

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The ASC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Noongar Country, in which we operate, and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community.

We pay our respect to them, their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.

The ASC also acknowledges and pays respect to Traditional Custodians and Elders past, present and emerging from other Australian regions in which our Schools operate.

CULTURAL WARNING

This document may contain images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have since passed away

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CEO MESSAGE THE ANGLICAN SCHOOLS COMMISSION I am honoured to present the first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) of The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.) (ASC).

The ASC is a system of fourteen schools located across three States, founded by the Diocese of Perth in 1985.

Our RAP process was activated by an ‘On Country’ experience along the banks of the Swan River or Derbal Yerrigan, with the ASC Board Chair, ASC Principals, School Council Chairs and myself, led by Professor Len Collard from the University of Western Australia.

From this day, a Working Group was formed to ensure a journey towards deeper engagement with the First Peoples in each school locality.

We surveyed our schools as we sought to better understand how each school engages and includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and began the development of our RAP as a priority.

I am pleased that our first Reflect RAP will now guide our initiatives and actions, our hearts and minds towards more positive outcomes for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the lands on which our schools are located.

I commend this RAP to all members of the ASC community and beyond, as our nation moves to further the process of reconciliation.

The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM Chief Executive Officer The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.)

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OUR RAP The ASC in working closely with local communities and in living out its six Core Values, is seeking to foster and build strong relationships and enhanced respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.

This first ASC RAP sets out our plans to build respect, relationships and opportunities through an enhanced understanding on the part of the ASC, by a greater sharing of knowledge and using small practical steps.

The current impetus for our reconciliation journey came in response to the 2016-2020 ASC Strategic Plan. Previous initiatives had existed in 2010 and earlier, including one-off initiatives in several ASC schools. All of these will feed in to the soon to be developed 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.

Feedback from ASC schools leading to the 2016-2020 plan confirmed a strong desire for both system wide “service learning” opportunities in local, remote and overseas locations as one key priority and for greater engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the other key priority. Having canvassed a number of pathways to enable the second of these aspirations to become a reality, a Principals’ Working Group returned to the concept of a RAP as the best way to progress this – one which includes both systemic and local school opportunities and engagement with local elders and leaders.

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OUR PARTNERSHIPS ASC schools, as members of their local communities, engage with First Peoples of Australia in a variety of ways: for special ceremonies; through art projects; as mentors for young people; as places for schooling; and to enhance cultural awareness among students and staff.

The ASC includes an Acknowledgement of Country at all ASC events, as do ASC schools, or where possible a Welcome to Country from a local Elder.

Images (top to bottom): Phillip Narkle mural for the Swan Valley Anglican Community School Senior Centre. Kwilena the dolphin has long lived in Derbal Yerrigan, although the population has dwindled since the ecology of the river changed.

Noongar people enjoyed a close relationship with Kwilena which was not hunted for food. Instead Noongar would sing to the Kwilena to drive fish into the Mangur, fish traps, when we made our migration to the coast for Birak, early Summer, and built our traps at the mouths of tidal estuary rivers. Derbal Yerrigan was a winter flushing river until the limestone bar at Dwertdweelardinup was destroyed. Dwertdweellardinup is the place where the Dwert, Dingos, watch.

Phillip Narkle mural for the Swan Valley Anglican Community School Senior Centre. Wurunup, boola djerap worl-ak bardang-aga: Karak, Djakal Ngakal, Waalitj, Wordong. In the Swan Valley many birds flew: Red and White Tail Black Cockatoos, Pink and Grey Galahs, Wedge Tail Eagles and Australian Black Ravens are shown here.

Artist, Phillip Narkle with one of his artworks.

Booja (the land) was an abundant place for Noongar before the European settlement. Game was plentiful and the waterways provided an abundance of food. Eggs were collected as were fruits and berries. The women collected roots and tubers which were the staple food in the South West of Western Australia. As well as Warrine and Yangettie, in the local area, Boorn and Mutta (bloodroot) and Kar or Kwar (milkmaids) tubers were harvested.

Phillip Narkle’s art installed on the Swan Valley Anglican Community School Senior Centre building.

ASC Indigenous Engagement Day smoking ceremony.

ASC Indigenous Engagement Day led by Professor Len Collard, University of Western Australia, and attended by the ASC Board Chair and CEO, ASC School Council Chairs and Principals.

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OUR MISSION & PURPOSE The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc) was established in 1985 to deliver the vision of the Synod of the Diocese of Perth, to establish and support low fee Anglican systemic schools which provide a high quality, inclusive, caring Christian education.

OUR MISSION To fulfil the Gospel imperative to teach the faith and nurture the young by strengthening and growing low-fee Anglican schools as centres of excellence in teaching and learning, pastoral care, worship and service.

OUR ROLE The Anglican Schools Commission has two primary roles: to support existing Anglican Schools Commission schools and to seek out opportunities to create new educational communities.

In developing new schools, the Anglican Schools Commission works closely with local communities, the Diocese, parish churches, government, property developers and the wider corporate sector to plan new schools in growth areas.

OUR CORE VALUES Faith

Living by Gospel values

Excellence

Pursuing high standards in all things

Justice Demonstrating fairness, compassion and conviction Respect Respecting self, others and our planet Integrity

Acting with honesty and openness

Diversity Promoting social inclusion and celebrating difference

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The Anglican Schools Commission (ASC) employs 1,750 people.

Among these there were two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff identified in the August 2019 Census.

There are fourteen ASC schools on eighteen campuses across three States. All ASC schools are co-educational and low fee. Most ASC schools provide a comprehensive Kindergarten to Year 12 school education and one regional school also provides boarding facilities.

Thirty-five years after foundation, the ASC comprises eight ASC schools in Perth, three in regional Western Australia, two in north east Victoria and one in southern New South Wales.

The ASC also has a further school, the ASC Language School, which is part of Anglican Schools Commission International (ASCI).

The ASC central office is located in Mt Claremont, WA. The fourteen ASC schools are: Cathedral College Wangaratta, VIC Cobram Anglican Grammar School, Cobram, VIC

Esperance Anglican Community School, Esperance, WA Frederick Irwin Anglican School, Meadow Springs and Halls Head campuses, WA Georgiana Molloy Anglican School, Busselton, WA John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School, Mirrabooka and Beechboro campuses, WA John Wollaston Anglican Community School, Camillo, WA Peter Carnley Anglican Community School, Wellard and Calista campuses, WA Peter Moyes Anglican Community School, Mindarie, WA St George’s Anglican Grammar School, Perth CBD, WA St James’ Anglican School, Alkimos, WA St Mark’s Anglican Community School, Hillarys, WA Swan Valley Anglican Community School, Aveley, WA Trinity Anglican College, Albury, NSW The Anglican Schools Commission International (ASCI) is located in Perth, WA along with The ASC Language School.

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RELATIONSHIPS Action

Deliverable

Timeline

Responsibility

Establish and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.

Identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations within our local area or sphere of influence.

June 2020

CEO & Principals**

Research best practice and principles that support partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.

October 2020

Principals

Attended RA’s Perth Education Industry Working Group.

February 2020

Director Mission and Planning (DMP)

Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our staff.

August 2020

DMP & Principals

RAP Working Group members encouraged to participate in an external NRW event.

August Principals September 2020

Encourage and support staff and senior leaders to participate in at least one external event to recognise and celebrate NRW.

August Principals September 2020

Communicate our commitment to reconciliation to all staff.

August 2020

CEO

Identify external stakeholders that our organisation can engage with on our reconciliation journey.

August 2020

DMP

Identify RAP and other like-minded organisations that we could approach to collaborate with on our reconciliation journey.

December 2020 DMP

Promote positive race relations through antidiscrimination strategies.

Research best practice and policies in areas of race relations and anti-discrimination.

August 2020

Risk Compliance & HR Managers

Investigate mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders and organisations within our sphere of influence.

Liaise with the Diocese of Perth’s Aboriginal Ministry Policy Working Group.

October 2020

DMP

Liaise with similar groups in the Diocese of Bunbury and the Diocese of Wangaratta.

October 2020

DMP

Build relationships through celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW).

Promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence.

Conduct a review of HR policies and procedures to identify existing anti-discrimination provisions, and future needs.

** The Anglican Schools Commission [ASC] is a dispersed system in 16 locations across three States.

Apart from the CEO in the ASC Office, the 14 Principals are the key leaders/managers in each school.

These are the individuals (by job title) referred to whenever Principals is used.

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RESPECT Action

Deliverable

Timeline

Responsibility

Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights through cultural learning.

Encourage increasing understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights within our organisation.

October 2020

Chaplains & Senior Staff in ASC schools

Schedule a system wide Professional Learning opportunity for Religious Educators and Chaplains to explore the topic of “Aboriginality and Aboriginal Spirituality”

October 2020

DMP & Religious Studies Advisor

Conduct a review of cultural learning needs and curriculum within ASC schools.

November 2020 Religious Studies Advisor

Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols.

Develop an understanding of the local Traditional Owners or Custodians of the lands and waters within our organisation’s operational areas.

October 2020

Principals

Increase staff’s understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols.

August 2020

Principals

Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week.

Raise awareness and share information amongst our staff about the meaning of NAIDOC Week.

September 2020 RAP Working Group & Principals

Introduce ASC staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting external events in our local areas.

September 2020 Principals

RAP Working Group to participate in an external NAIDOC Week event if possible in school holidays or via school based events.

May 2021

RAP Working Group

ASC schools engage with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and persons.

October 2020

Principals

Raise internal understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols.

The ASC and ASC schools use protocols for Acknowledgement of Country / Welcome to Country.

St James’ Anglican School’s example of using the six Noongar Seasons as the basis for their Acknowledgement / Welcome ceremonies, is shared for use by other ASC schools.

A greater understanding of the local Traditional Owners or Custodians of the lands and waters within our school communities is developed.

The understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols, is also developed by staff and students.

Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander days of significance.

A system wide calendar of significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events at a national, state, local and ASC school level is developed and disseminated to ASC schools e.g. Sorry Day events in ASC schools.

December 2020 DMP & Principals

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OPPORTUNITIES Action

Deliverable

Timeline

Improve employment outcomes by increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and professional development.

Encourage employment applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for employment within the ASC and ASC schools.

November 2020 CEO & Principals

Opportunities are sought for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be employed in ASC schools.

December 2020 Principals and Business Managers (BMs)

Build understanding of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staffing to inform future employment and professional development opportunities.

Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes.

August 2020

Responsibility

Principals

Develop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.

September 2020 CFO & BMs

Investigate Supply Nation membership.

December 2020 CFO & BMs

Artwork by Phillip Narkle The ancient Balga (grass trees stand sentinel marking the changes since the coming of the Europeans. Settlements, industries and recreational pursuits on the old camping grounds. The campfires have been replaced by smoke stacks and the Midland town hall clock now stands with the Balga to mark the passage of time.

Leisure craft now ply the river in place of Maali.

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GOVERNANCE Action

Deliverable

Timeline

Responsibility

Establish and maintain an effective RAP Working Group (RWG) to drive governance of the RAP.

Form a RWG to govern RAP implementation.

September 2020 CEO & Principals

Draft a Terms of Reference for the RWG.

September 2020 CEO & Principals

Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments.

Define resource needs for RAP implementation.

October 2020

Engage senior school leaders in the delivery of RAP commitments.

September 2020 CEO, DMP & Principals

Define appropriate systems and capability to track, measure and report on RAP commitments.

September 2020 DMP

Build accountability and transparency through reporting RAP achievements, challenges and learnings both internally and externally.

Complete and submit the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia.

December 2020 DMP & Principals

Continue our reconciliation journey: developing our next RAP.

Register via Reconciliation Australia’s website to begin developing our next RAP.

December 2020 DMP

Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation December 2020 CEO & DMP on the RWG.

DMP & Principals

CONTACT DETAILS Name: Michael Giles Position: Chief Operating Officer Phone: 08 9286 0290 Email: mgiles@ascschools.edu.au

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