A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a formal statement of commitment to reconciliation. At St Catherine’s School, we value the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and respect their deep and abiding connection with the land.

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Owners of the land upon which this School is built and, with their guidance, we seek to further our appreciation of their custodianship of the land so we may share this responsibility with them.

St Catherine’s School’s RAP, is a roadmap for staff, students and our community to facilitate the reconciliation process. As a School, we have committed to demonstrating an understanding of, and deep respect for, the traditions, heritage, history and generational impact, knowledge and perspectives of the many nations and language groups that make up Australia.

We will reflect Indigenous cultural heritage in the School’s physical environment, ensuring Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people feel culturally safe and are treated with dignity and respect.

Indigenous cultures will be embedded into our teaching and learning programs, with all staff engaging in a range of opportunities to extend their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Cultural awareness experiences will be undertaken to assist in personal growth and understanding, in addition to that of our students. We will take pride in laying the foundations for a more respectful, culturally aware generation of young Australians.

Students will experience Indigenous cultures first hand with an opportunity to build relationships with our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The themes in the RAP will become part of classroom activities and integrated in learning intentions. Incursions and experiences outside the classroom will include reconciliation themes, providing a deeper connection and understanding of Australia’s rich history and culture.

Within our School community the RAP ensures we remain committed to acknowledging our community’s diverse culture and heritage. We commit to fostering this inclusivity with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and welcoming them into our community appropriately.

The RAP commits our students, staff and community to learning and understanding the diversity of cultures around us.

We look forward to walking this journey with you as part of our community, leading and learning as we embed the reconciliation themes into all that St Catherine’s has to offer.