Redeemer Lutheran College
January 2026 to January 2027
CONTENTS
Vision for Reconciliation
The Working Group
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Actions
Relationships
Respect Opportunities
VISION FOR RECONCILIATION
Redeemer Lutheran College affirms reconciliation as a shared and ongoing journey of respect, truth, and partnership with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. We acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the Lands, Seas, and Skies on which we live, learn, and grow. We pay respect to Elders past and present and recognise the enduring connection of First Nations Peoples to Country, culture, and community
We acknowledge that the history of First Nations peoples includes experiences of deep grief and dispossession, and we will ensure that our curriculum respectfully embeds truth telling opportunities for staff and students.
Here on Jagera and Turrbal Country, we are surrounded by stories, knowledge, and connections that have existed for thousands of years. We believe wholeheartedly that there is deep bana yirra (good wisdom) in the worlds oldest continuous cultures stories, and that our curriculum and community are only strengthened when they reflect this wisdom.
Guided by our commitment to reconciliation, we seek to nurture a school environment where cultural learning and truth-telling are embraced as essential to building understanding and unity. We celebrate the strength, resilience, and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and honour their contributions to shaping our shared identity and future.
Through education, respectful relationships, and meaningful actions, we strive to create a community where every voice is valued, every story is honoured, and every individual feels a sense of belonging. We acknowledge that we are at the beginning of a learning journey and that to guide our direction, we must listen deeply to First Nations peoples, seek advice and guidance from community, and respond with humility. As we move forward, we acknowledge that this is a path of learning and we are committed to listening more and taking guidance more from First Nations Peoples.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
We begin by acknowledging the Jagera and Turrbal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the Lands, Seas, and Skies on which Redeemer Lutheran College stands. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations peoples who are with us today. We recognise the continuing importance of connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to Country, culture, and community These lands have always been places of learning, and we honor the knowledge, stories, and wisdom that have been shared here for thousands of years.
As we walk together on our reconciliation journey, we commit to listening deeply and learning with humility, acknowledging that reconciliation begins with understanding and respect.
RAP WORKING GROUP
Name Position
Josephine Grigg Staff (teaching)
Keyra Saunders Staff (teaching)
Stephanie Back Staff (teaching)
Ann Etchells Staff (teaching)
Matthew Burden Staff (teaching)
Julie Logan Staff (teaching)
Emma Sathpathy Staff (teaching)
Kylie Wright Staff (teaching)
Leah Storer Staff (teaching)
Aaron Hardke Staff (teaching)
Darrin Schumacher Principal / Director
Kellie Hardke Staff (teaching)
Christian Hansen Staff (teaching)
Anthony Jeffes Staff (teaching)
Christina Bianchi Staff (teaching)
RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CLASSROOM
RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in the Classroom
Opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students and Children
We are committed to engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our learning activities. Having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in learning environments is vital when teaching about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.
We commit to providing opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to celebrate their cultural identities. These opportunities positively impact the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and children, and create shared pride for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, contributions, identities and histories in the wider school community
RELATIONSHIPS AROUND THE SCHOOL
RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Representation on Committees
Elders and Traditional Owners
Share Histories and Cultures
We commit to inviting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, parents/carers and community members to be active representatives on our school’s committees. We commit to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives inform decision-making processes by respecting the experiences and knowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can bring to our committees.
We are committed to forging a meaningful and ongoing relationship with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, and people recognised in their community as Traditional Owners. We hope this relationship can be of mutual benefit, and that local Elders and Traditional Owners will feel safe, and confident, to share their historical and cultural knowledge with our staff, students and children.
Cultural Responsiveness for Staff
We are supported to reflect on and build our cultural responsiveness to improve our practice and best support the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We are provided with a range of opportunities to build our knowledge and understanding of our own positionality and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, contributions and cultures.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY
RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT
Welcome to Country Where appropriate, significant events at our school commence with a Welcome to Country. Protocols for welcoming visitors to Country have been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures for thousands of years. By incorporating these protocols into formal events and important occasions, we recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Custodians of the Land.
Celebrate National Reconciliation Week
Build Relationships with Community
Our school community celebrates National Reconciliation Week (NRW) which is held from 27 May to 3 June each year by talking about reconciliation in the classroom and around the school, and celebrating with the community. NRW is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort.
We commit to forming ongoing relationships with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Our relationships will be built on mutual respect, trust and inclusiveness. We respect these relationships and the way they make opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous staff, students, children and the community.
Teach about Reconciliation
RESPECT IN THE CLASSROOM
RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT
Our school community is committed to learning about reconciliation in Australia. Having an understanding of the concept, history and progress of reconciliation is an important part of continuing the reconciliation journey. This understanding also helps to strengthen engagement with our school’s RAP by positioning it within the broader story of reconciliation in Australia.
Teach about Days of National Significance
Explore Current Affairs and Issues
We commit to incorporating nationally significant days for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and reconciliation into our curriculum to increase knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, contributions and contemporary issues. We also commit to including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives when teaching about other national days, such as 26 January (Australia Day) and ANZAC Day
We commit to knowing the news and being responsive to current issues significant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the process of reconciliation. We will do this through delivering our curriculum, policies and procedures, and integrating it into the way our school operates.
RESPECT AROUND THE SCHOOL
RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT
Acknowledgement of Country
Our school recognises the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the Country on which we live, work, learn and grow. All staff and students have the opportunity to show respect to Traditional Owners and Custodians by regularly conducting an Acknowledgement of Country at meetings and events throughout the year.
Care for Country
We commit to actively connecting with, and caring for, the Country/place on which our school stands. This involves respectfully learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, philosophies and practices about caring for Country/place, as well as physically demonstrating respect for the skies, waterways and Land on which we live and learn. We will consider First Nations perspectives as part of broader sustainability plans, policies and practices. This will reinforce the meaningful and continuous connections Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have continued to have with Country/place since time immemorial, as well as provide positive opportunities for all members of our educational community to become socially and environmentally responsible citizens who display a growing awareness of the importance of First Nations land management and sustainability.
RESPECT WITH THE COMMUNITY
RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags
Take Action Against Racism
Our school flies/displays the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag to demonstrate respect and recognition for the histories, cultures and contributions of the First Peoples of Australia. Flying or displaying the flags promotes a sense of community partnership and a commitment toward reconciliation.
We will raise awareness of racism, its impacts and how to respond effectively when it happens. We will do this through an anti-racism strategy tailored to the needs of our school.
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CLASSROOM
RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT
Curriculum Planning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures are a key, ongoing part of curriculum planning, development and evaluation across all year levels and learning areas. We will review curriculum documents to find out where we include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and to what extent and where we could include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions in the curriculum.
OPPORTUNITIES AROUND THE SCHOOL
RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT
Inclusive Policies All staff at school are aware of policies referring to improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and building knowledge of, and respect for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures in Australia. When internal policies are reviewed and developed, we will ensure that they are inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and perspectives, and that there is a plan in place to ensure that all staff comply with these policies in their daily practice.
Staff Engagement with RAP
Commitment to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) from all staff is essential for developing a RAP that is implemented in a meaningful and sustainable way All staff will be involved in the ongoing development and implementation of our RAP through staff development opportunities facilitated by the RAP Working Group.
OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE COMMUNITY
RAP ACTIONS COMMITMENT
Celebrate RAP Progress
We are committed to reflecting on the progress made in the growth of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions in our school. We will track the progress of our RAP, continually revisit our commitments, and celebrate our achievements, while generating new ideas to develop and sustain our RAP into the future.