RECONCILIATION ACTION PLANTrinity CollegeAugust 2019 to August 2020

CONTENTS

Our Vision for Reconciliation

The Working Group

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Actions

Relationships

Respect

Opportunities

OUR VISION FOR RECONCILIATION

Trinity College seeks not only to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories andcultures are respected in our school, but to see them celebrated. Our vision for reconciliation is to seeall our students educated to be culturally aware, respectful and appreciative of Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander cultures. This vision also aims to support the College’s Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander students to engage fully in the life of the College and to achieve their full potential spiritually,academically, athletically, and socially. We are committed to providing opportunities for Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander students to engage in activities that celebrate their cultural heritage andidentities, as well as for all students to engage in activities that educate them about Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander cultures, histories and perspectives.

Importantly, we will seek to implement and regularly renew this RAP by the key aspects ofRelationships, Respect and Opportunities and to meaningfully continue to incorporate our RAP in theCollege’s Strategic Plan.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

The Trinity College RAP committee wish to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land onwhich our College was built, the Yugambeh people, who have walked and cared for this place forthousands of years. We are thankful for their past, present and future contributions to our region.

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RAP WORKING GROUP

Name Position

Emma Buckley Staff (teaching)

Laura Finn Staff (teaching)

Reuben Chalmers Principal / Director

Faith Severs Parent/carer

Candice Hughes Parent/carer

Braith King Student

Emma Robinson Staff (teaching)

RAP SUPPORT NETWORK

Name Role/Organisation

All Teaching Staff Teachers

All Curriculum Leaders Curriculum Leaders

All Pastoral Leaders Pastoral Leaders

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RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CLASSROOM

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Aboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Peoplein the Classroom

We are committed to welcomingAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople into our classrooms as guests towork alongside our students and childrenin learning activities. Having anAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpresence in learning environments is vitalwhen teaching about Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander histories andcultures.

Emma B, EmmaR

Ongoing

Opportunities forAboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Studentsand Children

We commit to providing opportunities forour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderstudents to celebrate their culturalidentities. These opportunities positivelyimpact the well-being of Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander students andchildren, and create shared pride forAboriginal and Torres Strait Islandercultures, contributions, identities andhistories in the wider school community.

Emma B, ReubenC, Emma R

Ongoing

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RELATIONSHIPS AROUND THE SCHOOL

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Aboriginal andTorres StraitIslanderRepresentationon Committees

We commit to inviting Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander staff, parents/carersand community members to be activerepresentatives on our school’scommittees. We commit to ensuringAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderperspectives inform decision-makingprocesses by respecting the experiencesand knowledge that Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander peoples can bring to ourcommittees.

Faith S, CandiceH, Emma R

Ongoing

Elders andTraditionalOwners ShareHistories andCultures

We are committed to forging ameaningful and ongoing relationship withlocal Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderElders, and people recognised in theircommunity as Traditional Owners. Wehope this relationship can be of mutualbenefit, and that our local Elders andTraditional Owners will feel safe, andconfident, to share their historical andcultural knowledge with our staff,students and children.

Emma B, ReubenC

Ongoing

CulturalCompetence forStaff

We will reflect on our current level ofcultural competence and provide staffwith a range of opportunities to build andextend their knowledge andunderstanding of Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander cultures. We also committo supporting staff to independently seekout and participate in a variety of culturalawareness experiences that assist themon their own journey of understanding.

Reuben C Ongoing

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RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Welcome toCountry

Where appropriate, significant events atour school commence with a Welcome toCounty. Protocols for welcoming visitorsto Country have been a part of Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander cultures forthousands of years. By incorporatingthese protocols into formal events andimportant occasions, we recogniseAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeoples as the First Australians andCustodians of their Land.

Emma B Ongoing

CelebrateNationalReconciliationWeek

Our school community celebratesNational Reconciliation Week (NRW)which is held from 27 May to 3 June eachyear by talking about reconciliation in theclassroom and around the school, andcelebrating with the community. NRW is atime for all Australians to learn about ourshared histories, cultures andachievements and to explore how each ofus can join the national reconciliationeffort.

Emma B, LauraF, Reuben C,Emma R

27/05/2019- 03/06/2019

BuildRelationshipswith Community

We commit to building relationships withour local Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander community that are built onmutual respect, trust and inclusiveness.We value these relationships and theirrole in helping to create opportunities forAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander andnon-Indigenous staff, students, childrenand community members.

Emma B, ReubenC

Ongoing

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RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

CulturalCompetence forStudents andChildren

We will develop our everyday program toensure it provides children and studentswith explicit opportunities to build theirknowledge and understanding ofAboriginal and Torres Strait Islandercultures, within and beyond theclassroom. This commitment extends tothe inclusion of cultural competenceprinciples, fostered in teachers andeducators, in the ethos of our classroomsand across our school.

Laura F, ReubenC, Emma R

Ongoing

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RESPECT IN THE CLASSROOM

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Teach aboutReconciliation

Our school community is committed tolearning about reconciliation in Australia.Having an understanding of the concept,history and progress of reconciliation isan important part of continuing thereconciliation journey. This understandingalso helps to strengthen engagementwith our school’s RAP by positioning itwithin the broader story of reconciliationin Australia.

Emma B, ReubenC

Ongoing

Teach aboutDays of NationalSignificance

We commit to incorporating nationallysignificant days for Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander peoples and reconciliationinto our curriculum to increase knowledgeof Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhistories, cultures, contributions andcontemporary issues. We also commit toincluding Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander perspectives when teachingabout other national days, such as 26January (Australia Day) and Anzac Day.

Emma B, LauraF, Reuben C

Ongoing

Explore CurrentAffairs andIssues

We are committed to raising awarenessof current affairs and issues in the publicdomain that are of particular significanceto Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeoples and the process of reconciliation.This will be done through curriculumdelivery, policies and procedures, and willbe integrated into the ethos of our school.

Emma B, LauraF, Reuben C

Ongoing

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RESPECT AROUND THE SCHOOL

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Acknowledgementof Country

Our school recognises the continuingconnection of Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander peoples to the Country on whichwe live, work, learn and grow. All staffand students have the opportunity toshow respect to Traditional Owners andCustodians by regularly conducting anAcknowledgement of Country atmeetings and events throughout the year.

Reuben C Ongoing

VisiblyDemonstrateRespect forAboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Cultures

We commit to demonstrating our respectfor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhistories and cultures in the physicalenvironment of our school. Weunderstand that making our respectvisible in the learning environmentthrough the incorporation of meaningful,relevant and culturally appropriate art,artefacts and symbolism reinforces ourwork toward reconciliation. It also makesour intentions and actions clear to ourstudents, parents and the broadercommunity.

Emma B, LauraF, Reuben C

Ongoing

Recognise andRespect Rights

We are committed to recognising andrespecting Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander peoples’ rights under the UnitedNations Universal Declaration of HumanRights and the Declaration on the Rightsof Indigenous Peoples . We acknowledgethat working within the frameworks ofboth declarations is important to reducingdiscrimination and promoting equality andequity in the educational and widercommunity.

Emma B, LauraF

Ongoing

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RESPECT WITH THE COMMUNITY

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Celebrate Days ofNationalSignificance

We commit to organising andparticipating in events to celebrate orcommemorate days/weeks of nationalsignificance for Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander peoples and thereconciliation movement to show ourpride in, and respect for, Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander histories, culturesand contributions. We also commit toincluding Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander perspectives when wecommemorate other national days, suchas January 26 (Australia Day) and AnzacDay.

Emma B, LauraF, Reuben C,Emma R

Ongoing

Aboriginal andTorres StraitIslander Flags

Our school flies or displays the Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander flag as ademonstration of our pride and respectfor the histories, cultures andcontributions of Australia’s First Peoples.Flying or displaying the flags promotes asense of community partnership and acommitment toward reconciliation.

Emma R Ongoing

PhysicalAcknowledgementof Country

Our school proudly commits to displayinga physical Acknowledgement of Countryas a way of showing awareness of, andrespect for, the Aboriginal or Torres StraitIslander Traditional Owners andCustodians of the land on which ourschool is located.

Emma B Ongoing

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RESPECT WITH THE COMMUNITY

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Take ActionAgainst Racism

Racism can have serious negativeconsequences for the people whoexperience it, for those who witness it,and for wider society. When racism isproperly understood it is easier toovercome. We commit to buildingawareness of what racism is, the impactsof racism and how to respond effectivelywhen it occurs through an anti-racismstrategy tailored to the needs of ourschool.

Laura F, ReubenC

Ongoing

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OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CLASSROOM

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Embed Cross-curriculumPriority - SchoolSpecific

All staff from across the school aresupported to understand and embed theAustralian Curriculum cross-curriculumpriority Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander Histories and Cultures in thecurriculum. The cross-curriculum priorityis considered in the development of units,lesson plans and resources in all learningareas and across all year levels.

Emma B, ReubenC

Ongoing

CurriculumPlanning

Embedding Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander histories and cultures incurriculum planning, development andevaluation processes is a key andongoing consideration across all yearlevels and learning areas. Curriculumdocuments have or will be audited toidentify the extent to which Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander histories, culturesand contributions are already embedded,and to identify opportunities forstrengthening the representation of thiscontent in the curriculum.

Emma B, ReubenC

Ongoing

AustralianProfessionalStandards forTeachers -School Specific

All teachers are supported to understandand meaningfully engage with theAustralian Professional Standards forTeachers, specifically Focus Area 2.4:‘Understand and respect Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander people to promotereconciliation between Indigenous andnon-Indigenous Australians’.

Emma B, ReubenC

Ongoing

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OPPORTUNITIES AROUND THE SCHOOL

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Inclusive Policies All staff in our school are aware ofpolicies that refer specifically to improvingeducational outcomes for Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander people andincreasing knowledge of, and respect for,Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhistories and cultures in Australia. Wehave a plan in place to ensure all staffcomply with these policies in their dailypractice. Our internal policies have been,or will be, amended to ensure they arealso inclusive of Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander people and increaseknowledge of Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander histories and cultures inAustralia.

Emma B Ongoing

StaffEngagement withRAP

Commitment to the Reconciliation ActionPlan (RAP) from all staff is essential fordeveloping a RAP that is implemented ina meaningful and sustainable way. Allstaff will be involved in the ongoingdevelopment and implementation of ourRAP through staff developmentopportunities facilitated by the RAPWorking Group.

Emma B Ongoing

RAP BudgetAllocation

We have set aside dedicated funds fromwithin our budget to procure relevantgoods and services that strengthen thesustainability of our RAP Actions. Staffare aware that it is important to considerremuneration for people who have beeninvolved in RAP initiatives out of respectfor the time and resources that they havecontributed.

Reuben C Ongoing

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OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE COMMUNITY

RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT ASSIGNED TO DUE DATE

Local Sites,Events andExcursions

We commit to learning more about theAboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderhistories, cultures and contributions of theCountry on which we live, work, learn andplay, by working with the local Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander community tolearn about events of historical andcultural significance and visit appropriatesites.

Emma B, LauraF, Emma R

Ongoing

Celebrate RAPProgress

We are committed to reflecting on theprogress made in the growth ofknowledge and pride in Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander histories, culturesand contributions in our school. We willtrack the progress of our RAP, continuallyrevisit our commitments, and celebrateour achievements, while generating newideas to develop and sustain our RAPinto the future.

Emma B Ongoing

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