National Reconciliation Week is held every year between 27 May and 3 June and is an important occasion that we acknowledge at GLC as we celebrate unity in diversity.

In the Primary schools, our younger students gathered for dedicated National Reconciliation Week assembly (GLC Armstrong Creek - Friday 23 May, GLC St John's Newtown – Tuesday 27 May). The Year 3 students shared information with their peers about this national observance and the events that it commemorates, connecting to their ‘How we express ourselves’ inquiry into celebrations. GLC Armstrong Creek Year 5 student Elliot also presented an Acknowledgement of Country he had written as part of a Year 4 inquiry unit last year, while the GLC St John's Newtown Choir performed Goanna’s Solid Rock.

Additionally, Primary students have undertaken classroom learning about reconciliation. Our Prep-Year 3s shared the picture book ‘Somebody’s land’ to build an understanding of First Nations Australians continuing connection to land. Students in Years 4-6 meanwhile defined the concept of reconciliation (both Christian and wider understandings). They also investigated through song the story of Vincent Lingiari’s campaign for land rights as an example of reconciliation in action.

Secondary students at the Armstrong Creek campus have reflected on the concept of Reconciliation in their Mentor Groups, reflecting on this year’s theme of ‘Bridging now to next’. Mentor Groups created a ‘Reconciliation Leaf’ highlighting action they currently undertake to support reconciliation, as well as potential future initiatives. These leaves will be collected and assembled into a collaborative installation.

OUR VISION FOR RECONCILIATION

Geelong Lutheran College’s vision for reconciliation is to embrace, learn alongside and build relationships

with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We aim to seek and understand Australia’s First Nations peoples’ histories, cultures and perspectives so that we can work together towards reconciliation and value the contributions of all. Walking on our journey’s together in harmony and acceptance, building respectful relationships between First Nations peoples and the wider community.