Students at Thomas Carr College in Tarneit participated in a range of events to honour Reconciliation week.
The students were taught about a number of significant First Nations people, experienced dot painting and wore indigenous colours for an out of uniform day.
The school’s director of faith and mission Elizabeth Holligan said the activities were intended to make students aware of the history of First Nations people.
“We started the week with recognition of national sorry day…we made sure that the teachers had the information available to open up that conversation with our students…and why we have reconciliation week,” she said.
Ms Holligan said the school was very careful to be respectful in their commemoration of the week.
“We also have activities with students each day, fun activities and awareness activities and as they were doing those activities where possible…they were run by people who have First Nations backgrounds,” she said.
Ms Holligan said the school also participated in daily contemplations and prayers for the indigenous community.
“As a Catholic school, we believe it’s very important in our prayer life, make sure that we provide that opportunity to reflect during our prayers on what’s happening in the world and what’s happened in the past,” she said.
“We also had prayers for reconciliation each day and many of the prayers were written by First Nations people.”
Ms Holligan said she’s found it interesting over the last few years to see the student’s development in understanding our country’s First Nations history.
“I think this is a journey that needs to be continued, It’s not something that’s going to be a one week event,” she said.
