At St Mary’s College, we are a community deeply rooted in Veritas, where relationships are at the core of everything we do.
Our Vision for Reconciliation
We value the connections we nurture, especially with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, respecting their rich history and ongoing spiritual connection to this land.
Reconciliation is at the heart of our mission. We commit to truth and justice, recognising that reconciliation is an ongoing journey of respectful dialogue and reflection.
As a community, we:
- Celebrate diversity, belonging, and learning.
- Work for a more just and compassionate world.
- Honor our Catholic Dominican identity by acknowledging the past and seeking healing.
- Empower all voices to challenge ongoing injustices.
- Continuously deepen our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, integrating them into our learning.
Acknowledgement of Country
As a community grounded in Veritas, we acknowledge and honour the Kaurna People, who have lived, walked, and experienced one-ness with this Land upon which our school is formed. We remember all Kaurna Ancestors and honour their wisdom and spirituality, passed down and kept alive through their sacred stories for thousands of years. We want to express our deep appreciation for and recognition of the stewardship and connection the Kaurna People demonstrate to this Country. We respond to this gift with the promise to cherish and protect this space in which we are blessed to learn and grow safely. We will care about this Land with humble and grateful hearts and through a continued community practice of prayer for, service to, and study of Kaurna Country.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Narragunnawali, a word from the Ngunnawal people, means alive, wellbeing, coming together, and peace.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), developed through Reconciliation Australia's Narragunnawali program, represents our commitment to fostering meaningful relationships and advancing reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Click below to learn more about our RAP and its impact on our community.
Artwork by David Booth
David is an Indigenous artist, performer, and the director of Imbala Consultancy, specialising in cultural education through workshops and performances. He is a Warumunga/Yuggera man, born on Yuggera country in Brisbane, now living on Peramangk country. He has a strong connection to the Ngarrindjeri/Peramangk people through his partner and children.
This commissioned artwork was created in collaboration with our students in 2022 as part of the St Mary's College Netball Academy program. The students desired to design an indigenous-inspired uniform for the Indigenous Netball Round in hopes of starting a conversation and supporting change in our school community.
Read more about this project down below.
Reconciliation in Action
Indigenous-Inspired Netball Dress
In 2021, St Mary’s College students Heather F and Abby C took part in the Iga Warta Immersion trip, where they deeply connected with Adnyamathanha culture.
Inspired by this experience, they wanted to incorporate what they learned into the School’s Netball Academy program, including the creation of an Indigenous-inspired netball dress for the June Indigenous Netball Round. David, from the Warumungu people, guided the senior teams in storytelling through art. The students collaborated to create the St Mary's Netball Story, which became the design for the new netball dress.
Print and Netball Dress Meaning
Netball - the centre of our story.
Four women - four women around the Netball represent our team leaders.
Seven people - around the outside of this circle represent the 7 players on a netball court and a link to our 7 Dominican Sisters.
Feet - the journey of people coming from many different places to join our Netball program.
Emu and kangaroo prints - symbolise always looking forward, being positive and focusing on the future.
Ten stars - represent our ten netball teams this year.
Handprints - All students' handprints are on the board.
Sunflower - represents the coach
Hills - link with the Adelaide Hills and play netball carnivals in the Adelaide Hills.
Night - representing the ancestors and the link between the past.
The Indigenous Round, celebrating Reconciliation Week, was held on June 4 in the Veritas Gym against St Michael’s College and Mercedes College.
Reconciliation Week 2023
Every year, National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is held from 27 May to 3 June, commemorating two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.
This is an opportunity for us to learn, reflect, and heal by strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.
In 2023, our Reconciliation Focus Group, consisting of student leaders from Year 5 to Year 12, embraced the NRW theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ by organising activities designed to spark meaningful conversations. The week began with a whole-school liturgy led by our friend of the community, David Booth, who reminded us of the importance of connection and our active role in reconciliation.
As part of the week, the group designed stickers for all students to promote ongoing dialogue and reflection. Students shared their commitments by participating in a school-wide banner project, responding to key questions posted around the school yard, and engaging in various curriculum-based activities. Additionally, our Year 5/6 Junior School choir participated in the NRW choir, singing the powerful anthem "From Little Things Big Things Grow."
Our school community remains committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation, working together to deepen and restore relationships.
“It has been empowering to collaborate with David and the younger students in developing a week of education and awareness, which we as young people are passionate about.”
- Zenja Z, 2023 SRC Captain
Aboriginal Message Sticks
As part of our WRAP (Wellbeing, Relationship, Agency, and Personal Responsibility) program, Year 8 students participated in a cultural learning experience through the Message Stick Project.
We welcomed back David Booth and his sons from Imbala Consultancy, who shared their extensive knowledge of Indigenous art and culture in collaboration with the students.
In Term 3, 2024, Year 8 students explored the cultural significance of Message Sticks, a traditional Indigenous symbol used for communication and storytelling. They had the opportunity to design their own Message Sticks, incorporating traditional Indigenous art symbols that resonate with their personal stories.
The hands-on nature of the project allowed students to engage deeply with the materials as they sanded and engraved locally sourced Jarrah sticks, using wood-burning pens to bring their unique designs to life.
This creative process fostered artistic expression and encouraged students to reflect on their personal narratives while gaining a deeper appreciation for Aboriginal culture. Each year, students will have the opportunity to update their Message Sticks, which they will receive at their graduation in 2028, symbolizing their growth and journey throughout their time at St Mary’s College.
Indigenous Scientists are our First Scientists
The 2024 Women in STEM Breakfast, held annually, explored the theme "Indigenous Scientists are our First Scientists."
The event was an opportunity for students, Old Scholars, and STEM professionals to connect, share, and inspire the next generation of women in STEM.
Guest speakers on the day were Dr Giselle Rampersad, Dean (Education) in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University and Elisabeth Boyle, a wongi (wangkatha) woman in her final year of a Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour). Their stories were truly inspiring for all in attendance.
Year 12 STEM Coordinators, Chantal and Sirisha, did a fantastic job as MCs and Senior Food and Hospitality students catered a delicious breakfast using Indigenous-inspired ingredients.
