‘Reconciliation isn’t a single moment or place in time. It is lots of small, consistent steps, some big strides, and sometimes unfortunate backwards steps.’ Karen Mundine Chief Executive Officer, Reconciliation Australia.
At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a formal commitment to reconciliation, and it documents how our school will commit to this meaningful process. Tintern Grammar is a school that is deeply committed to this process and sees our action plan as something that is embedded in our values and vision. It is a school with a rich history, care, compassion and a strong moral compass. Our commitment to the RAP will be embedded in that very fabric; it won’t just inform and guide how we do things but it will also form part of our vision and compass values.
We strive to:
- Build meaningful partnerships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Embed First Nations perspectives authentically within curriculum and pedagogy
- Create a safe and inclusive environment where all students feel seen, respected and empowered
- Equip young people with the knowledge and courage to contribute to a more just and equitable Australia
- Through truth-telling, education and respectful action, we aim to nurture informed, compassionate learners who understand their role in shaping a reconciled future.
Reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility, and together we commit to walking this journey with humility, respect and hope.
The concept of reconciliation is important to us not only in the classroom but across the school in other contexts within our school community too, and our RAP should reflect this, as an ever-evolving document that is shaped and contributed to by a wide range of school staff, students and community members.
