Strengthening Connections
Gurumba bigi! This phrase means ‘hello’ in Yuggera language.
Across our College, we continuously celebrate cultural diversity and the richness that this brings to our community and remind our students of the importance of intercultural understanding and respect. This week, 27 May to 3 June, is National Reconciliation Week, an important annual event in Australia that celebrates and promotes reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. At St Peters Springfield, we believe it is important to engage students in activities that foster understanding, respect and appreciation for Indigenous cultures and histories.
How are we doing that this week (and always) at St Peters Springfield? Our Assemblies and special services across the College consistently start with our students and staff acknowledging the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugurapul people through the reading and speaking of the Acknowledgement of Country. This activity sets a respectful tone and acknowledges the traditional owners of the land.
We also have held Assemblies, Chapels and devotions this week with a specific focus on reconciliation. Our Cultural Captains led a wonderful Assembly where they outlined the important role of Eddie Mabo and other Indigenous figures in history and invited students to various Reconciliation Week activities including origami boomerang making with a throwing competition to follow and Indigenous ball games on the oval.
In classes this week, students have been involved in activities including performances and artwork as well as reading a range of literature written by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors to grow their understanding of reconciliation and Indigenous cultures. Students have been encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas creatively, promoting a sense of unity and togetherness.
At the College, we also have a Reconciliation Action Plan Working Party, a group of dedicated staff, two of who are from Indigenous heritage, who are working on developing a Reconciliation Action Plan or RAP. We will partner with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to create our St Peters Springfield RAP. The RAP outlines practical steps and strategies that the school can undertake to promote reconciliation and inclusivity. Our students will also be involved in the development and implementation of the RAP, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment.
Our intercultural understanding and global connections have also strengthened this year with our Sharon Lutheran School students in Hong Kong. Historically, our Year 5 students partner with the Year 5 students at Sharon Lutheran School to discuss a range of subjects including this year, similarities and differences between the schools.
In 2023, we have extended the program with our Year 6 students continuing the partnership with their buddies from 2022 and connecting via an online platform around the concepts of environment, climate change and sustainability.
Our Year 4 students have also begun their partnership a year earlier than usual with their Hong Kong buddies and are focusing their conversations across the seas around health and wellbeing and how physical activity and diet habits are related to academic achievement.
Intercultural understanding and global-mindedness are key to a St Peters Springfield education. We know that by helping our students to learn about and engage with diverse cultures in ways that recognise commonalities and differences, create strong connections with others and cultivate mutual respect, we can help to create a more peaceful and productive world. I wish everyone in our community peace and every blessing as we move into this final part of Term 2.
Natalie Houston
Principal
