reconciliation action plan...relationships respect opportunities our vision for reconciliation...

RECONCILIATION ACTION PLANMackillop CollegeMay 2019 to May 2020

CONTENTS

Our Vision for Reconciliation

The Working Group

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Actions

Relationships

Respect

Opportunities

OUR VISION FOR RECONCILIATION

MacKillop Catholic College joins with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters toensure greater understanding of their culture within Australia.

Our vision is for reconciliation to be achieved at MacKillop Catholic College by showing respect toAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their Land, cultures, spirituality and traditions.

We are committed to ensuring that community participation is strong and vibrant and that care andcompassionate activities are demonstrated through all activities. We will be a community of learningwhere each individual student is cared for and valued, and the wider community is enriched by thepresence of our College.

MacKillop Catholic College focuses on preparing young men and women to take their place in societyand Lead with Courage, continuing the work and emulating the values of our namesake andAustralia’s first Saint, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

The values developed within our students are:

· Strong clear minds which value learning;

· Compassionate hearts; and,

· Courageous spirits to serve others with confidence.

To achieve our vision, MacKillop Catholic College will welcome all opportunities to build strongerrelationships with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. We will work within the Collegeand with outside organisations to ensure our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students areafforded equal and equitable opportunities. The College will seek ways to encourage broaderengagement with, and stronger relationships between, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islandercommunity and non-Indigenous school community.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge the Larrakia people, the Traditional Owners of this Land and pay respect to theirElders, past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the cultures and hopes ofAboriginal Australia and of those who educate their children in this area. We show respect for theirhistory, their culture and our shared future.

We will always remember that under the concrete, steel and asphalt of this College, this Land is, wasand always will be traditional Aboriginal Land.

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RAP WORKING GROUP

Name Position

Candice Slingerland Staff (teaching)

Oren Tyler Staff (non-teaching)

Pavlina Mellious Staff (Indigenous Education Worker)

Rachel Taylor Staff (teaching)

Rebecca Dowling Staff (teaching)

Michelle Rafferty Staff (teaching assistant)

Gordon Middleton Staff (teaching)

April Flannery Staff (teaching)

Grace Skehan Staff (teaching)

Sherri Bryers Staff (teaching)

Tammy Woodward Staff (teaching)

Michael Graham Staff (teaching)

Suman Binda Staff (teaching)

John Chisholm Staff (teaching)

Jasen Bryers Staff (Indigenous Education Worker)

MItch Musulin Staff (teaching)

Bonnie Morton Staff (teaching)

Lauretta Graham Principal / Director

RAP SUPPORT NETWORK

Name Role/Organisation

Michael Graham Deputy Principal MacKillop Catholic College

Gavin Nolan Teacher

Lorna Parker Head of Middle School / Teacher

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RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CLASSROOM

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Aboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Peoplein the Classroom

We are committed to welcomingAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople into our classrooms as guests towork alongside our students and childrenin learning activities. Having anAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpresence in learning environments is vitalwhen teaching about Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander histories andcultures.

Sherri B, LaurettaG, April F

Ongoing

Opportunities forAboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Studentsand Children

We commit to providing opportunities forour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderstudents to celebrate their culturalidentities. These opportunities positivelyimpact the well-being of Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander students andchildren, and create shared pride forAboriginal and Torres Strait Islandercultures, contributions, identities andhistories in the wider school community.

Sherri B, LaurettaG, Jasen B,Pavlina M

Ongoing

3

RELATIONSHIPS AROUND THE SCHOOL


CulturalCompetence forStaff

We will reflect on our current level ofcultural competence and provide staffwith a range of opportunities to build andextend their knowledge andunderstanding of Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander cultures. We also committo supporting staff to independently seekout and participate in a variety of culturalawareness experiences that assist themon their own journey of understanding.

Sherri B, LaurettaG

Ongoing

ReconciliationProjects

Our school will collaborate on projectsthat visibly and authentically embedAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhistories and cultures in learningprograms and the physical environment.Through this culture of collaborationacross the school and with thecommunity, we commit to creating anenvironment where young people, staffand community members acknowledge,respect and experience connection to theFirst Australians.

Sherri B, LaurettaG, Bonnie M,MItch M, JasenB, Tammy W,Candice S, GraceS, April F, RachelT, Pavlina M

27/05/2019- 31/05/2019

4

RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY


Welcome toCountry

Where appropriate, significant events atour school commence with a Welcome toCounty. Protocols for welcoming visitorsto Country have been a part of Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander cultures forthousands of years. By incorporatingthese protocols into formal events andimportant occasions, we recogniseAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeoples as the First Australians andCustodians of their Land.

Sherri B, LaurettaG, Bonnie M

Ongoing

CelebrateNationalReconciliationWeek

Our school community celebratesNational Reconciliation Week (NRW)which is held from 27 May to 3 June eachyear by talking about reconciliation in theclassroom and around the school, andcelebrating with the community. NRW is atime for all Australians to learn about ourshared histories, cultures andachievements and to explore how each ofus can join the national reconciliationeffort.

Sherri B, LaurettaG, April F

27/05/2019- 03/06/2019

BuildRelationshipswith Community

We commit to building relationships withour local Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander community that are built onmutual respect, trust and inclusiveness.We value these relationships and theirrole in helping to create opportunities forAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander andnon-Indigenous staff, students, childrenand community members.

Sherri B, LaurettaG, Jasen B

14/12/2018

5

RESPECT IN THE CLASSROOM


Teach aboutReconciliation

Our school community is committed tolearning about reconciliation in Australia.Having an understanding of the concept,history and progress of reconciliation isan important part of continuing thereconciliation journey. This understandingalso helps to strengthen engagementwith our school’s RAP by positioning itwithin the broader story of reconciliationin Australia.

MItch M 27/05/2019

Teach aboutDays of NationalSignificance

We commit to incorporating nationallysignificant days for Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander peoples and reconciliationinto our curriculum to increase knowledgeof Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhistories, cultures, contributions andcontemporary issues. We also commit toincluding Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander perspectives when teachingabout other national days, such as 26January (Australia Day) and Anzac Day.

Sherri B, LaurettaG, Bonnie M,Jasen B, GraceS, April F, GordonM, Rebecca D,Rachel T, PavlinaM

Ongoing

Explore CurrentAffairs andIssues

We are committed to raising awarenessof current affairs and issues in the publicdomain that are of particular significanceto Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeoples and the process of reconciliation.This will be done through curriculumdelivery, policies and procedures, and willbe integrated into the ethos of our school.

MItch M 14/12/2018

6

RESPECT AROUND THE SCHOOL


Acknowledgementof Country

Our school recognises the continuingconnection of Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander peoples to the Country on whichwe live, work, learn and grow. All staffand students have the opportunity toshow respect to Traditional Owners andCustodians by regularly conducting anAcknowledgement of Country atmeetings and events throughout the year.

Sherri B,Lauretta G,Bonnie M, MItchM, Jasen B

14/12/2018

VisiblyDemonstrateRespect forAboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Cultures

We commit to demonstrating our respectfor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhistories and cultures in the physicalenvironment of our school. Weunderstand that making our respectvisible in the learning environmentthrough the incorporation of meaningful,relevant and culturally appropriate art,artefacts and symbolism reinforces ourwork toward reconciliation. It also makesour intentions and actions clear to ourstudents, parents and the broadercommunity.

Lauretta G Ongoing

7

RESPECT WITH THE COMMUNITY


Aboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Flags

Our school flies or displays the Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander flag as ademonstration of our pride and respectfor the histories, cultures andcontributions of Australia’s First Peoples.Flying or displaying the flags promotes asense of community partnership and acommitment toward reconciliation.


Ongoing

Take ActionAgainst Racism

Racism can have serious negativeconsequences for the people whoexperience it, for those who witness it,and for wider society. When racism isproperly understood it is easier toovercome. We commit to buildingawareness of what racism is, the impactsof racism and how to respond effectivelywhen it occurs through an anti-racismstrategy tailored to the needs of ourschool.

Sherri B 14/12/2018

8

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CLASSROOM


CurriculumPlanning

Embedding Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander histories and cultures incurriculum planning, development andevaluation processes is a key andongoing consideration across all yearlevels and learning areas. Curriculumdocuments have or will be audited toidentify the extent to which Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander histories, culturesand contributions are already embedded,and to identify opportunities forstrengthening the representation of thiscontent in the curriculum.

Sherri B, LaurettaG, MItch M, JohnC

Ongoing

9

OPPORTUNITIES AROUND THE SCHOOL


Inclusive Policies All staff in our school are aware ofpolicies that refer specifically to improvingeducational outcomes for Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander people andincreasing knowledge of, and respect for,Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhistories and cultures in Australia. Wehave a plan in place to ensure all staffcomply with these policies in their dailypractice. Our internal policies have been,or will be, amended to ensure they arealso inclusive of Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander people and increaseknowledge of Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander histories and cultures inAustralia.

Sherri B, LaurettaG

Ongoing

StaffEngagement withRAP

Commitment to the Reconciliation ActionPlan (RAP) from all staff is essential fordeveloping a RAP that is implemented ina meaningful and sustainable way. Allstaff will be involved in the ongoingdevelopment and implementation of ourRAP through staff developmentopportunities facilitated by the RAPWorking Group.


Ongoing

RAP BudgetAllocation

We have set aside dedicated funds fromwithin our budget to procure relevantgoods and services that strengthen thesustainability of our RAP Actions. Staffare aware that it is important to considerremuneration for people who have beeninvolved in RAP initiatives out of respectfor the time and resources that they havecontributed.

Sherri B, LaurettaG, Jasen B, AprilF

Ongoing

10

OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE COMMUNITY


Celebrate RAPProgress

We are committed to reflecting on theprogress made in the growth ofknowledge and pride in Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander histories, culturesand contributions in our school. We willtrack the progress of our RAP, continuallyrevisit our commitments, and celebrateour achievements, while generating newideas to develop and sustain our RAPinto the future.

Sherri B, LaurettaG, Bonnie M,Jasen B, April F,Pavlina M

Ongoing

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