Our Reconciliation Assembly saw the College gather to hear from some of our First Nations students, and have a taste of culture with dances from the combined group of Darren and Muggera Cultural Experiences, students from St Ignatius’ College, Riverview and two of our own students, Harvey T and Paul W. Each Homeroom then participated in a Yarning Circle, where discussions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture took place. Throughout the week, the buildings at the College each received an alternate name. These names were words in the local Darug language, or key terms connected to reconciliation. For example, the Hickey Building became Garaaba, meaning ‘Meeting Place.’

Our Reconciliation Round of Co-Curricular activities occurred a fortnight prior to this (as the closest home round of sport) and saw each team acknowledge country before playing, our First IV Tennis and First XI Football share brief ceremonies prior to playing and our First XV Rugby take part in a smoking ceremony. The practice of smoking as a welcome, or at the beginning of an event, is an act of cleansing. It removes negative spirits and energy and prepares the recipient for the experience they are about to have.

May this week be more than a moment of reflection, may it be a reminder of the responsibility we each hold in shaping a fairer, truer Australia.