Close the Gap Day, 2023

Close the Gap Day, 2023

“Strong Culture, Strong Youth: Our Legacy, Our Future”

Our Reconciliation Action Plan aims to build cultural responsiveness and improve practice to best support the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. An important part of our commitment is to strengthen connection with community as we build understanding about issues that are of significance to First Nations Australians.

This week we were fortunate enough to connect with two significant people in our SAC community who were able to assist our teachers and students to deepen our understanding of key concerns.

On Close the Gap Day, Naomi Huxley, former SAC student and director of Deadly Mentorz facilitated a ‘yarn up’ with students to share knowledge and understanding about the importance of Close the Gap Day, and what we can do to improve health and opportunity outcomes for First Nations Australians.

Year 7 student, Aamina Dars reflected: “Listening to Naomi made me consider equality and reconciliation between Indigenous and Non-indigenous Australians. I enjoyed sitting with her and listening to her talk about the topic. I hope to be able to have a yarning circle with her again.”

The following day the JAM group hosted guest speaker, Dr Joanne Buckskin, who shared the stories of seven First Nations women and how they have helped to raise the profile of issues concerning their people. Dr Joanne is a grandparent of a current student and is a tertiary educator of Narrungga, Kaurna, Wirangu Wotjobalok heritage. Her key teaching and research fields include Reconciliation and Education, which she brings together in her work as a teacher educator.

In this year of the Voice to parliament, listening to truth telling and asking questions are meaningful ways in which we can interact in a shared language of Reconciliation.

Ms Viviana Graney
First Nations Focus Teacher

Ms Maddie Kelly
Justice & Mercy Coordinator


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