Reconciliation Action Plan 2021 - 2024
Acknowledgement of Country “ We acknowledge the muwinina people, the Traditional Custodians who have walked upon and cared for this land for thousands of years. We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.”
The EREA Charter and its Touchstones The Charter uses four Touchstones to describe the culture of a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition that is striving for authenticity.
Gospel Spirituality
The Touchstones provide direction to enable the College to authentically express how we live out the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice and seek to make the Gospel a living reality in our community.
Liberating Education
Justice and Solidarity
St Virgil’s College Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have given the touchstones a local interpretation using colours and images associated with the lands of the muwinina people.
Inclusive Community
From the Principal Mr Damian Messer On behalf of the St Virgil’s College community I feel honoured and humbled to provide the foreword for the St Virgil’s College 2021 – 2024 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). In doing so and on behalf of our entire community, I acknowledge the muwinina people, the Traditional Custodians who have walked upon and cared for this land upon which we learn, work and play.
and Feet Framework for Educating for Justice and Peace. Our actions are expressed through authentic responses to the Touchstones for EREA Education – Gospel Spirituality, Liberating Education, Inclusive Community and Justice and Solidarity. Our commitment also reflects our authentic expression of the Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic education in Tasmania.
As a Catholic learning community in the tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice we are inspired and nurtured by the wisdoms, spiritualities and experiences of First Nations People and commit ourselves wholeheartedly to working for reconciliation, justice, truth and healing. Our calling to reconciliation is shaped by the Touchstones for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition, the Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy and EREA’s Head, Heart, Hands
St Virgil’s College has a meaningful, genuine and valued partnership with Tasmanian Aboriginal communities. We understand that true reconciliation can only be possible by first acknowledging the harm that has been done to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples since British colonisation and recognising the intergenerational trauma that has resulted and continues to exist for many of our families. For this, we are truly sorry. We continue to engage with Elders and Community
members to ensure that our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students feel safe, respected, acknowledged and empowered to learn more about their identity and culture and have many opportunities to deepen existing understandings and connections to Aboriginal history and their local communities. Tasmania’s history since colonisation has, in common with the rest of Australia, been a terrible and brutal one for First Nation’s Peoples. History and school curriculum have until recent years, been written from the perspective of the coloniser which has further marginalised Aboriginal people. It is significant to note that the current generation of students at St Virgil’s now have the opportunity to learn the true history of their ancient island home and of mainland Australia. In partnering with Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali online platform we have been able to
Princ ipal D amia n
Messe r at t h
e 2 01 9 RAP
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provide practical ways to introduce meaningful reconciliation initiatives into classrooms, activities around the school and throughout our College community. A critical component of this has been in providing educators with access to professional learning and curriculum resources to support the implementation of the ACARA Cross Curricular Priority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives into all curriculum areas and at all year levels from Grade 3 to 10. A truth telling curriculum is key to making Reconciliation a foundation for all that we do at St Virgil’s College and for us it is inspired by the example of Jesus and the work of Blessed Edmund Rice who famously said, “Have courage, the good seed will grow up in the children's hearts later on”. The seed has certainly been sown at St Virgil’s and has been nurtured by the Country upon which our campuses sit, in particular the ancient property at Austins Ferry, nestled on the banks of the
Derwent River, which has sustained life for Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years. We understand the importance of land to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and it has been a deliberate choice to meaningfully engage with our surroundings throughout our reconciliation journey. Accompanied by members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community we continue to seek ways to properly care for Country and to provide all our staff and students with opportunities to help rehabilitate the Austins Ferry Campus while bringing our learning beyond the walls of a classroom. Initiatives such as lowamakana, the Nine Nations Path, the Children’s Peace Garden, the Caring for Country programme and the Interpretive Cultural Walk all help to include our staff students and families in a shared commitment to reconciliation.
To this end I would like to acknowledge the members of our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group and in particular the contribution made by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, their families and the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. Their presence is significant and ensures that our Reconciliation Action Plan reflects the identity and aspirations of our whole College community in making reconciliation at St Virgil’s a living, authentic and powerful means of achieving justice and peace in our collective future. On behalf of St Virgil’s College, I commend the 2021-2024 Reconciliation Action Plan to our community and commit the College to walking hand in hand on a journey with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards a truly just and reconciled Australia.
2019
Reconciliation Path
Respect/ Community Create an official Launch for our RAP that includes meaningful contributions from all staff (teaching and non-teaching), students, the wider College community and Aboriginal students, their families and Community members.
Our journey so far... 2018 - Ongoing
2017
Opportunities/ Classroom
Respect / School Work with Tasmanian Aboriginal Community to create an appropriate Acknowledgement of Country for use at both College campuses.
2009 - Ongoing Relationships/ Classroom End of year camp for Grade 7- 9 Aboriginal students accompanied by Tasmanian Aboriginal Elders and Community to sites of cultural and historical significance.
Provide relevant and up to date resources, both physical and online and suitable Community contacts to Leaders of Learning to use when embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures into their curriculum.
2020 Relationships/School Invite Tasmanian Aboriginal Community members and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents to join RAP Working Party.
Our journey continues... 2020 - Ongoing Respect/Community Educate the College community about the short and long-term impacts of racism and address racist behaviours as part of the College’s Restorative Justice programme.
2021 Relationships/Community Organise an Indigenous Round or Reconciliation Sports Carnival to be played between SVC and several other schools during Reconciliation Week.
2020 - Ongoing Respect/School Work with Grade 9 and 10 Aboriginal students and Aboriginal Community members to care for Country on the Austins Ferry campus using sustainable practices.
2022 Relationships/Community Include welcoming spaces/rooms for Aboriginal students, family and Community inside, outside or both in the future building plans of the College.
Aspirational Relationships/School Create opportunities for Aboriginal students, parents and staff to stay connected with the College Community and remain involved in decision making, curriculum development and caring for students and Country.
Relationships in the Classroom, School and Community Classroom
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the Classroom Goal Identify opportunities in a variety of Departments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to assist with a component of the teaching and learning. Deliverable Invite Aboriginal Community members to deliver curriculum experiences each year in subjects across both campuses to help embed the cross curricular priority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives
School
School
Cultural Competence for Staff
Reconciliation Projects
Goal All staff on both campuses to undertake regular ongoing Cultural Competence
Goal Collaborate with members of the College community and Tasmanian Aboriginal communities to design and implement projects and programmes that authentically promote reconciliation
Deliverable Create Whole Staff Professional Learning experiences in which Elders and members of Tasmanian Aboriginal Communities are invited to lead cultural activities and join in conversation and dialogue with all staff.
Deliverable Work with students and Tasmanian Aboriginal Community members to research and create a meaningful Reconciliation projects that reflect the unique landscapes and cultural features of both Campuses.
Community
Build Relationships with Community Goal Strengthen relationships with Tasmanian Aboriginal communities and seek opportunities to develop new relationships, both locally and nationally. Deliverable Create a cultural walk with interpretive signage and specific areas for cultural activities to be used by the College and the wider community on the Austins Ferry campus
Respect in the Classroom, School and Community Community
School
School
Physical Acknowledgement of Country
Visibly Demonstrate Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Recognise and Respect Rights
Goal Provide a physical Acknowledgement of Country at the entrances to the Junior and Senior campuses of the College. Deliverable Work with Tasmanian Aboriginal artistis to create a permanent Acknowledgement of Country displayed at the entrance of each campus.
Goal Develop opportunities to create spaces, display objects and record experiences that reflect our College’s valued relationship with Tasmanian Aboriginal Communities. Deliverable Create permanent displays in the Resource Centres of both campuses for Tasmanian Aboriginal resources including books, posters, paintings and objects.
Goal Embed Rights language throughout the College community, through curriculum, documentation, communications and relationships. Deliverable Invite Aboriginal Community members to work with Leadership, Learning and Teaching Team and Welfare Team to ensure culturally appropriate language and practice is understood and modelled at all times.
Classroom
Teach About Days of National Significance Goal Plan for and resource learning opportunities which include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives and voices. Deliverable Provide current, contemporary and historical resources to support meaningful recognition of days of national significance to reconciliation.
Opportunities in the Classroom, School and Community Community
Community
School
Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owned Businesses
Local Sites, Events and Excursions
Inclusive Policies
Goal Visit significant sites in rural and urban Tasmania to deepen understandings of Tasmanian Aboriginal histories and cultures.
Goal Ensure the inclusion of Tasmanian Aboriginal communities’ voice in ongoing review processes of all College policies.
Deliverable Invite Tasmanian Aboriginal Community members to co-design excursions to significant historical and cultural sites.
Deliverable Consult with Aboriginal community members on appropriate and effective inclusion of the Close the Gap Agreement and resulting Targets into school policies and planning.
Goal Support Tasmanian Aboriginal businesses by employing, engaging, purchasing and promoting services and products where appropriate. Deliverable Promote Aboriginal businesses and sectors in the wider community that could offer work experience placements for senior students or employment pathways beyond school.
School
RAP Budget Allocation Goal Allocate dedicated funds for Reconciliation in departmental and wider College budgets. Deliverable Work with Principals of both Campuses and Business manager to allocate appropriate percentages of specific budgets to Reconciliation while also creating an allowance for whole school Reconciliation projects.
About the Artwork The pages of our Reconciliation Action Plan are brought to life by the original and beautiful drawings created by some our Grade 9 and 10 Aboriginal students who have interpreted the EREA Touchstones and given them a distinctive St Virgil’s expression. It also highlights the connection that the boys have to the Country upon which their school sits and the plants, animals and geology of the landscape where they have experienced much of their learning. Their contribution to our reconciliation journey has been profound, generous and empowering for all of us and it is with great pride that we able to share their artwork here in the pages of our Reconciliation Action Plan.
Dylan Price - Kangaroo Grass, Native Cherry Jacob Goodsell - Cider Gum Tyson Taylor - Native Cranberry Xavier Nichols - Blue Tongue Lizard
River Smith - Tasmanian Devil Jai Pickett - Eastern Barred Bandicoot Lachlan Nichols - Kangaroo Grass, Ancient Reptile Spirit James Nichols - Silver Wattle
Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group Principal Damian Messer Tasmanian Aboriginal Community Rob Anders Jamie Graham Trent Prouse St Virgil’s Parents & Family Heath Nichols Jodi Pickett Matt Stanford
Staff Kevin Anders Carissa Briggs Fiona Chambers Amelia Daun Claire Graham Bridget Jenkins Nadia Jones Sarah Lackey Brent Scanlon Mark Smith Jake Terhell Mark Waddington
Senior School - Grade 7 to 10 St Virgil’s College 195 Main Road Austins Ferry Tas 7011
Phone: 03) 6249 6555 Fax: (03) 6249 4569 Email: registrar@stvirgils.tas.edu.au
Junior School - Grade 3 to 6 102 Patrick Street Hobart Tas 7000 Phone: (03) 6234 2440 Email: jsadmin@stvirgils.tas.edu.au www.stvirgils.tas.edu.au
Community Justice Respect