We acknowledge the privilege to be on these unceded lands, and pay our respects to the traditional custodians of this Country, the Dharawal people. We acknowledge their deep ancestral and spiritual responsibilities they have carried out since time immemorial. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of the people.
We also give our thanks to the Elders’ generosity with their support and guidance, walking the path of education with us. We acknowledge all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in our community and acknowledge their deep physical and spiritual connections to their land.
We come together to learn, to share and to journey together. The Diocese of Wollongong (DOW), and St. Francis Catholic College as part of this Diocese endeavour to ensure that its communities are committed to working in partnership with families and communities in welcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and supporting them to strive to reach their full potential and to embrace their culture and identity.
We acknowledge and are committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation and see it as everyone's business. St. Francis Catholic College welcomes students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Students that identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, are supported with access to a Aboriginal Education Assistant from the Catholic Education Office, who along with staff from the College and in conjunction with the student and family, will formulate and monitor a learning plan to support their learning and development at school.
St Francis Catholic College celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through various programs, such as Bangawarra Cultural and Careers days and Burra Bumal Dance Workshop. We also celebrate cultural events such as NAIDOC Day, Sorry Day, Reconciliation week and Harmony Day. One of our College Houses, Wellington, is named after respected local Aboriginal Elder, Uncle Ivan Wellington. Uncle Ivan was fundamental in the development of St Francis, generously giving his time. The Wellington house’s colour is red ochre, the colour of the earth.
Each fortnight in our Newsletter we tell the story of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person to develop the community’s knowledge of the important contributions those being highlighted make to Australian society.
