Moving forward in harmony
Schools
Many Catholic schools around the State celebrated Reconciliation Week from May 27 to June 3, including St Paul’s College which held a special assembly to reflect on the wrongs of the past while acknowledging the importance of moving forward together in harmony.
First Nations students spoke about the importance of Reconciliation Week and Year 4 students performed in Kaurna language. Year 5 students displayed purple hibiscus flowers in acknowledgment of the Stolen Generation and the college band played Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil.
New Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, provided by Dana Wortley MP – Member for Torrens, were on show.
At the end of the week, Nicholas Emili, (class of 2020) returned to St Paul’s as a proud Kokatha man from the Flinders region. Nicholas spoke to the Year 11 and 12 students and staff about the upcoming referendum and a First Nations Voice to Parliament. He delved into this topic in detail with students, giving them the information needed to make an informed decision in the referendum later this year. A celebration of First Nations Music at lunchtime concluded the events.
Kildare College celebrated Reconciliation Week with a liturgy led by the school’s Nunga group on the theme of ‘Be a Voice for Generations’.
Archbishop O’Regan at the Kildare liturgy
It was an opportunity for Aboriginal students to share their culture with the college community and integrated Indigenous spirituality with Catholic tradition.
Respected member of the Kaurna community, Jamie Goldsmith, gave the Welcome to Country and played the didgeridoo to open the liturgy, accompanied by talented dancers from the school.
Students delivered their own personal Acknowledgement to Country from the different nations they belong to and vocal ensembles also showcased their talents.
Archbishop Patrick O’Regan made his first visit to Kildare since his installation in 2020 to participate in the liturgy.
Representatives from Kildare Ministries and Catholic Education South Australia attended, as well as John Neate who is a former Kildare College principal and the new chair of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools.
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