SAC’s Reconciliation Action Plan is Ready for 2025

Mercy Light: Connecting

Reconciliation is a term most people are familiar with in the context of Australian cultural relations. The Oxford Dictionary states that to reconcile is ‘the restoration of friendly relations’. SAC’s commitment to reconciliation is deeper, reinforced by its decades-long history of supporting First Nations initiatives, and Principals who have demonstrated great support for First Nations peoples. The College has always sought to celebrate one of the world’s oldest-surviving cultures, while appreciating the challenges their communities continue to face.

In 2021, SAC took further steps to solidify the commitment to reconciliation by developing a RAP Committee and a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

“Our RAP members include current parents, staff and students — both First Nations and others – who have a vested interest,” says Ms Viviana Graney, SAC’s First Nations Focus Teacher.

Now in its fourth year, the RAP, which you can read here, serves as a roadmap of tangible actions and steps towards recognition and reconciliation at SAC.

“In the beginning, we were very much focused on reflection and building strong foundations,” says Ms Graney, “but our most recent RAP focuses on innovation, deepening our understanding, and influencing progress in Reconciliation.”

“RAP Committee meetings take place once during Terms 2, 3, and 4. In our Term 4 meeting, we review our year and plan the RAP actions. The RAP is renewed every year and must be submitted to Reconciliation Australia for approval before it becomes public,” Ms Graney explains.

Since 2021, the RAP committee has seen several projects come to fruition. These include:

The wardli installation and launch: This long-term project involved planning and developing the Mitchell Courtyard steps to include First Nations artwork, design, and plants in consultation with Ngarrindjeri artist, Cedric Varcoe and Kaurna Elder, Uncle Major ‘Moogy’ Sumner.
Ensuring that all classrooms, events, and spaces consistently acknowledge Country and that our school community understands the purpose and intention of this meaningful action.
The teaching of the Acknowledgment in Kaurna language by someone with cultural authority so that trained members of our community can say this at key events.
Developing cultural awareness in our school community through school events and engagement with local community members.
Invitation of First Nations guest speakers to present to students at all year levels across the school.

In addition to overseeing the RAP development and progression, Ms Graney works closely with two SAC Old Scholars, First Nations Student Support Officers, Maja Tongerie and India Bament-Sitkowski, to convene the RAP Committee, engage with representatives from the wider community, and nurture the First Nations student and parent community within the College.

Maja says that, “as an Aboriginal person, my dedication to First Nations student support is very important to me, as I want to support all students in building their cultural identity and finding pride in who they are individually.”

One of the students Maja supports is Elke, in Year 9.

Elke last year performed traditional dances with her peers at the opening ceremony for the wardlis in SAC’s Mitchell Courtyard. These dances were taught and guided by Uncle Moogy and his daughter, Charlotte.

Maja Tongerie explains how, “these opportunities help First Nations students to feel culturally safe and proud,” and consultation with Elders has played a key role in the successful outcomes achieved by the RAP Committee over the last four years.

“Uncle Moogy Sumner has been involved in RAP meetings where cultural knowledge is required to make decisions,” says Ms Graney.

Above: Year 9 student (Elke) with Ms Maja Tongerie (First Nations Student Support Officer)

Elke shares that, “performing with Uncle Moogy was amazing. Not every young Indigenous person gets to have experiences like these. I also have enjoyed Kaurna language sessions with Kira Bain [Ngarrindjeri woman and Kaurna language teacher]. And being able to visit the Nunga room and learn from Maja and India here at school helps us to feel empowered.”

The RAP Committee also welcomes input from enthusiastic students with a demonstrated passion for First Nations causes. Year 11 student, Yenuli, joined the RAP Committee last year, after participating in the Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Committee as a member of SA’s Youth Parliament.

Yenuli says, “I feel personally that reconciliation is everybody’s responsibility. We can’t erase Australia’s past but what we can do is move together to reconcile. There are still huge gaps in health, education and justice for First Nations peoples and we can all work to close the gaps. We do this in small ways at SAC every day. I loved the wardli opening ceremony, it brought the community together and was so warm and inviting. I am not an Indigenous person – my background is Sri Lankan – but it is important to me that our school embraces all cultures. It has a very homely feeling.”

February 13 marked 17 years since the Australian government formally apologised to members of the Stolen Generations for the trauma they experienced, having been separated from loved ones. While there is still a long way to go on the road to reconciliation on a national scale, small actions are taken each day at SAC that build the bridge, right here and now. And, as Elke says, “to me, Reconciliation means all Australians coming together.” Read SAC’s approved 2025 RAP here.

Ms Maddie Kelly
Marketing & Communications Team

SAC’s Reconciliation Action Plan is Ready for 2025