Clan | Edition # 136

Page 42

Build bridges of empathy and compassion

Learning to play the Didgeridoo during Arts Day

Brad Gill Head of Middle School

As I sit to write this article, plans are in place for the College to celebrate NAIDOC Week, our country is poised to vote on ‘The Voice’ and I am reminded of the lyrics, so beautifully composed by Bruce Woodley, of I am Australian. In a diverse and multicultural world, schools play a crucial role in shaping young minds and promoting social harmony. By fostering understanding, healing, and unity, our commitment to reconciliation aims to create a supportive environment where students and educators can learn from their diverse backgrounds and grow together. Authentic reconciliation requires acknowledging historical injustices and confronting uncomfortable truths about the past. Schools must create spaces for open and honest discussions about their history, including the darker aspects, such as colonialism, discrimination, and prejudice.

This process helps build awareness and empathy, fostering a deeper understanding of the experiences of marginalised groups.

academic performance and helping to create a strong sense of self for all and especially our Indigenous community.

A crucial aspect of promoting reconciliation in schools is revising the curriculum to include diverse perspectives and histories. By incorporating the contributions of Indigenous Australians, students can develop a more nuanced understanding of the world and their peers. This approach promotes inclusivity and challenges stereotypes, empowering students to become critical thinkers and agents of change.

In today’s globalised society, cultural competence is a valuable skill. Authentic reconciliation equips students with the ability to navigate diverse settings with empathy and respect, preparing them for success in an interconnected world.

It is obvious that educators play a pivotal role in facilitating authentic reconciliation. Therefore, providing teachers with ongoing training and professional development on cultural sensitivity and awareness is crucial. This equips them with the tools needed to create a safe and nurturing environment for all students. When students and staff engage in authentic reconciliation, they develop a sense of shared identity and belonging. This creates a stronger sense of community within the College. When students feel accepted and valued for their unique identities, they are more likely to be engaged in their studies. This is true for all students, and we are continually working to ensure that our Indigenous students feel that true sense of belonging too. Reconciliation fosters a positive learning environment, positively impacting

At Scotch College, reconciliation is not a one-time event; rather, it is an ongoing commitment to fostering understanding, healing, and unity. By embracing the principles of truth, inclusivity, restorative justice, cross-cultural understanding, and teacher training, we aim to create transformative environments where students learn to celebrate diversity and build bridges of empathy and compassion. We have commenced a comprehensive review of the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan and will use this document to help students develop into empathetic and responsible citizens who actively contribute to a harmonious and inclusive society. We realise that this commitment to authentic reconciliation is a journey and like all journey’s, success depends on sharing the responsibility, becoming more informed, learning from history and acknowledging that there may be setbacks along the way but that ultimately committing to the journey is more important than reaching the destination.


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Articles inside

Archives

8min
pages 52-54

Building a Tradition

2min
pages 54-55

What have they been up to?

4min
pages 51-53

OSC Events

5min
pages 47-50

Farewell to Basil Balme

3min
page 46

Medal of the Order of Australia for OSC David de Vos

5min
page 45

OSC launches the Members Assistance Programme

3min
page 44

The Career Accelerator Programme – bridging the skills gap

4min
page 43

Build bridges of empathy and compassion

3min
page 42

Once a Pipe Band parent, always a Pipe Band parent!

4min
page 41

A boarding journey that turns into a community for life

4min
page 40

Community service in Year 10

5min
pages 38-39

Small acts of charity. A powerful force for good.

3min
page 37

All hands on deck!

3min
page 36

JPSSA trophies for Junior School

3min
page 33

Sport: It’s a wrap

3min
page 32

Sullivan Moody, 1st XVIII football Captain, interviews Coach Steve Malaxos, and Assistant Coach and Manager, Matt Jahn

4min
page 31

The Scotch Community welcomes back Dr. Duncan Picknoll, Head of Outdoor Learning and Adventures

5min
page 30

Studio Scotch

3min
page 29

Challenges and fun through the Enrichment Programme

4min
page 28

The World Scholar’s Cup Global Round – Seoul

3min
page 27

Reconstructing the past at The World Scholar’s Cup

3min
page 26

Scotch productions take centre stage

5min
pages 24-25

Jazz Night

1min
page 23

The Australian Combined Schools Music Festival

3min
page 22

Music and brain development; it’s unequivocal

3min
page 21

A sense of purpose. A vision for the future.

4min
page 20

Education as process, not content

5min
pages 18-19

Vertical system in action – Virginia International Tattoo

5min
page 17

INNOV8: enhancing digital literacy in Middle School

4min
page 16

Overcoming challenges. An ever evolving journey.

4min
page 15

Leaving nothing to chance with data, data, data

3min
page 14

Developing emotionally intelligent boys

3min
page 13

Start strong in Junior School

4min
page 12

MEET YOUR LEADERS

5min
pages 10-11

The final stretch

3min
page 9

Built Upon a Culture of Giving

3min
page 8

A strong strategic plan for the future

5min
page 7

NAIDOC and Indigenous spirituality

4min
page 6

Single gender boys’ education. Why?

8min
pages 4-5
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Clan | Edition # 136 by Scotch College Perth - Issuu