To mark Reconciliation Week 2022, St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School Annandale has renewed its commitment to its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The school’s Family Educator and RAP founding committee member Fiona McGrath said St Brendan’s is the first Catholic junior school in Sydney to develop and publish its own RAP.

The RAP, which was officially launched in 2016, is a formal statement of commitment to Reconciliation in and around the school and in the surrounding community.

A physical acknowledgement is proudly displayed in the school’s entrance foyer in the form of a painting by former Casimir College Marrickville student, Elijah Charet. A backdrop artwork for the school’s acknowledgement, by Year 6 student Bronte Roff, is also displayed in all classrooms and common areas of the school.

“Doing a RAP is a type of formation, which helps us to further appreciate and understand cultural history and diversity within the school, parish and community” –  Fiona McGrath

Recognised by Reconciliation Australia, St Brendan’s RAP is also listed with Narragunnawali which supports all schools and early learning services in Australia to develop environments that foster a high level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions.

Pictured are stones that were given to St Brendan’s after going through Ceremony. Students painted them with their own design. Known as ‘song stones’ they have been placed in the school’s Indigenous Garden and painted pots, so they can become part of Mother Earth once again.

“Reconciliation Australia and Nurragunnawali have educational platforms which can assist in countless ways but the most valuable help (in our understanding) comes from spending time and learning from Elders, like Deborah Lennis, who are within the immediate community,” Ms McGrath said.

D’harawal woman and …