National Reconciliation Week (NRW) calls each one of us to reflect on the history of our nation, with all its beauty and all its pain. It calls us to open our hearts and minds to find a way forward, where truth telling, acknowledgement and respect can be our guide.

Over the past week, Concordia students and staff have engaged in a range of activities to strengthen understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and perspectives.

We learnt through classroom activities, Year 7 and 8 student-led cultural games, from Robert Taylor at the City of Unley NRW Event, and through conversations with Kaurna artist Sam Gollan whilst collaborating on painting a mural.

On Friday afternoon, staff and students from Reception to Year 12 gathered for an assembly with special guest singer/songwriter Scott Rathman Jnr, a descendent of the Arrernte people of Central Australia. We appreciated Scott’s gentle, passionate approach to sharing his culture with us. The Concordia Rock Band performed “Solid Rock” by Shane Howard as part of Reconciliation Australia’s 'Voices for Reconciliation'. Cousins Nari and Maja read the Acknowledgement of Country as a Year 5–7 dance group performed a beautiful dance to an original soundtrack produced by Year 6 students Lia and Miya.

As a community of learners, we continue our commitment to reconciliation, Bridging Now to Next.

Nancy Wells
Reconciliation Action Plan Coordinator