One of the highlights of National Reconciliation Week at the Catholic Education Office (CEO) was the launch of the much anticipated Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) by the Director Catholic Education, Helen O’Brien. Guests at the launch included Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis O’Brien AO, Bill Corey OAM and staff of the CEO.
RAPs provide a framework for organisations to realise their vision for reconciliation and the CEO’s RAP will provide opportunities to turn good intentions into practical actions by documenting the initiatives, strategies and steps implemented, to contribute to reconciliation in Australia.
The Reconciliation agenda and the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education lies at the heart of the CEO’s vision and mission to provide quality and inclusive education.
“It is our firm belief and hope that we may transcend our broken history, to walk together towards a future where all can realise their fullest potential”, said Helen.
The RAP will assist the CEO to continue to value:
• openness to God’s spirit at work in our midst
• the Recognition and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to our history, our present and our future
• all creation’s interconnectedness
• respect for the dignity of each person
• commitment to processes of learning that are formative, challenging, engaging, life-long and life-wide
• inclusivity of those at the edges
• sensitivity, justice and compassion.
Assistant Directors Monica Conway, Bruno Vieceli and Michael Kenny read the CEO’s statements about Relationships, Respect and Opportunities as articulated in the RAP, then each Assistant Director was presented with a copy of the document as a reminder for all staff to continue to build reconciliation into their work.
Uncle Lewis O’Brien addressed the gathering and spoke of the importance of reconciliation to all Australians, before Helen launched the CEO RAP.
“I am delighted to officially launch the inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan for the Catholic Education Office in Adelaide. This is an important step for our community as we walk with Australia’s First Nations’ Peoples towards a more just and reconciled future,” Helen said.
Twenty students from Catholic schools in South Australia have been named among the winners in two major state-wide Humanities competitions.
Earlier this year, senior school students from across South Australia were invited to enter the 2024 Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize and the Muriel Matters Awards.
