Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education
The dream of the FIRE Carrier program is to promote respect, fairness, and inclusion for First Nations People in Education. The FIRE Carrier promotes enculturation and reconciliation by the sharing of culture and spirituality in Victorian Catholic primary and secondary schools.
FIRE Carrier Program Covenant
We recognise the special place and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within Australia. We acknowledge that First Nations peoples have been the caretakers of the land, water and sky for more than 60,000 years. We respect their spiritual connection to Mother Earth through the Dreaming.
We understand that practical measures need to address the disadvantages experienced by First Nations Peoples in education, health, employment, and general opportunity. True Reconciliation requires national and local solutions achieved through positive and purposeful partnerships not just for today but for tomorrow. We work for Reconciliation, in partnership with those who believe that there can be an alternative to the present order.
‘An apology begins the healing process. Apology means understanding, a willingness to enter into the suffering. It implies a commitment to do more’. The late Sir Ronald Wilson, Chair of the National Inquiry into the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.
“Reconciliation is an active pursuit – it’s about getting on with what’s needed and what we know to get the results we all want, and that’s a mixture of measures that target the body, the mind and the spirit.” Mick Dodson, Australian of the Year, National Press Club address, 17 February 2009
A School Covenant declares the school’s commitment to stand in solidarity with First Nations peoples on the path to meaningful reconciliation. They recognise the special contributions that First Nations people and their culture make and acknowledge the rightful position that they should hold within Australian society. Covenants emphasise the ethos and faith belief of Catholic schools and the social justice responses they are committed to make as part of their Christian identity. It is broken up into the three core values of Spirituality; Practical Reconciliation and Justice; and Cultural Recognition and Awareness. Completing a Covenant is an important first step taken by FIRE Carrier schools as part of their commitment to the program and is reflected in practical goals and actions which they strive to achieve in the year ahead.
The Traditional Owners and Custodians
Orbost District comprises of the following localities: Orbost, Newmerella, Marlo, Bemm River, Cabbage Tree Creek, Jarrahmond, Brodribb River, Corringle, Lochend, Simpsons Creek, Bete Bolong, Bete Bolong North, Waygara, Bellbird Creek, Cape Conran, Manorina, Yalmy, Sardine Creek, Nurran, Murrungower, Tabbera and Sydenham Inlet.
We acknowledge the Gunaikurnai, Monero and Bidawel people as the Traditional Custodians of the land that encompasses students from the Orbost District.
Goal for Reconciliation
St Joseph’s Primary School will strengthen reconciliation by developing cultural awareness and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, empowering student voice and leadership in reconciliation initiatives, and building meaningful partnerships with our Aboriginal families, Moogji, and the wider community. Through embedding learning, reflection, and action, our school community will actively promote understanding, respect, and justice in the spirit of reconciliation.
Commitment to child safe standards
Child Safe Standards Standard 1 – Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
Standard 2 – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
Standard 5.1 – School premises must establish culturally safe environments in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children, young people, and students are respected and valued. Standard 5.4 – The organisation pays particular attention to the needs of Aboriginal children and young people and provides/promotes a culturally safe environment for them.
AITSL commitments
“All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people achieve their full learning potential, are empowered to shape their own futures, and are supported to embrace their culture and identity as Australia’s First Nations peoples.”
(Education Council 2015)