School's three-step vision for reconciliation

Located on Whadjuk Country in Perth, Western Australia, the school has implemented a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) at a whole-of-school level.

They listen for the benefit of all, and to celebrate, embrace and take pride in the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and stories.

They learn by acknowledging past wrongs and moving forward, deepening their understanding and valuing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, heritage and connection to Country/Land.

And they lead by creating opportunities for respectful and equitable cultural partnerships within their community and beyond, by embedding knowledge of their Noongar geography, culture and language.

Now, their commitment to reconciliation has been recognised at a national level, with the school named a finalist in the 3rd biennial Narragunnawali Awards.

Narragunnawali, from the language of the Ngunnawal people, means alive, wellbeing, coming together and peace. The Awards are for schools and early learning services that have implemented outstanding and genuine reconciliation initiatives.

They are part of Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education program which, with the support of BHP Foundation, is helping foster positive change towards reconciliation in Australia.

Narragunnawali is available to all schools and early learning services in Australia via an online platform. Over 100,000 registered users are now on the platform with over 8,500 schools and early learning services working towards developing their own Reconciliation Action Plan.

For BHP Foundation Australia Program Director Victoria Thom this program is a great story of success.

‘Through Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education, 32 per cent of Australian schools and early learning centres have now developed, or plan to develop, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs),’ says Victoria.

‘Given so many generations of Australians have grown up without an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and a limited awareness of the true histories of Australia, the growth of the program supports more children to appreciate and benefit from the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and culture, and true histories of our country. It is a great outcome for our children, our education system and the future leaders of Australia.’

Working alongside key authorities and stakeholders within the education sector, Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali program is influencing curriculum implementation and teaching practice and aims to mainstream whole-school reconciliation actions across the Australian education system.

The 2021 Narragunnawali Awards ceremony will take place as part of the Australian Reconciliation Convention on 15–17 November, and everyone is welcome to watch the Awards ceremony live – please register here.

The 2021 Finalists are:

Early Learning category:

Balnarring Pre-School (VIC)

St Peter’s Girls Early Learners Centre (SA)

Tumut Community Preschool (NSW)

Schools category:

Briar Road Public School (NSW)

Mosman Park Primary School (WA)

St Virgil’s College (TAS)

The BHP Foundation supports programs that enable and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Voice and Choice for self-determination.