Aboriginal Education News
Kaayi (hello in Awabakal; rhymes with ‘hi’)
Last Thursday Kiera, Casey and I attended the launch of the Diocesan Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This plan was developed in collaboration with and is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, in its acknowledgement of the Reconciliation Action Plan states:
Our vision for reconciliation is to follow the principles of Catholic Social Justice Teaching: to promote a vision of a just society that is grounded in biblical revelations, and principles to end poverty, promote justice, upload dignity, love of God and love of neighbour.
In our first step in our reconciliation journey, we are committed to:
- Establishing and strengthening mutually beneficial relationships.
- Including and listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in decision making and leadership.
- Raising internal and external awareness of our RAP.
- Promoting reconciliation across our Diocesan parishes, schools and agencies.
At St Kevin’s we are in the process of developing our inaugural school RAP which will soon be submitted to Reconciliation Australia for endorsement.
Indigenous Literacy Day 2022
On Wednesday 7 September we will celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day at St Kevin’s. Our school has registered for a live digital event broadcast from the Sydney Opera House at 10.30am featuring ILF Ambassador and music icon, Jessica Mauboy, and ILF Ambassador, Gomeroi author and performer, Gregg Dreise.
As well, children will participate in some fun and educational activities in their classrooms, including from learning a song and some words in Awabakal language and doing some artwork using earthy materials.
Nginowa (goodbye in Awabakal; the ‘g’ is silent)
Phil Taylor
Aboriginal Education Teacher