It takes courage and collective might to move the needle on social justice. Thankfully Tatachilla students are rich in both of these qualities, and are embracing this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for Generations.

Tatachilla Lutheran College believes that reconciliation can only be full realised when First Nations peoples are able to contribute equally to the daily life of the nation. Only then can Australia reach its full potential.

We also believe that from little things, big things grow.

That’s why this week we are encouraging all members of our school community to have frank and fearless conversations about healing and respect and take small steps at home, school and work to promote truth-telling and cultural understanding.

Our middle and senior school students will be given the opportunity throughout the week to work alongside proud Ngarrindjeri man and artist, Thomas Readett, on the creation of a mural that celebrates Country and Culture and our living connection to South Australia’s lands and waters. This mural will feature in a prominent location on campus as a reminder of our shared histories, cultures and achievements.

Our middle and senior school students will also have the chance to screen-print their own reconciliation t-shirts on Tuesday and Thursday this week using a unique design that has been devised by one of their peers and selected to represent the college’s vision for reconciliation.

Importantly, Yorta Yorta man and renowned activist and singer/songwriter, Scott Darlow, will be speaking to all students (from Reception to Year 12) throughout the week – including at assembly on Friday – about his Aboriginal culture, Australian history, racial tolerance, harmony and important social actions. His focus will be on forgiveness, love, understanding, tolerance and empathy.

Through these and other activities throughout National Reconciliation Week, the college aims to support students to recognise and discuss unconscious bias; challenge limiting, damaging or colonial perspectives on history-making; familiarise themselves with the Uluru Statement from the Heart; and walk in friendship with Australia’s First Peoples to co-create a just, informed and reconciled world.