Reconciliation
Brisbane Catholic Education is committed to working towards genuine and sustainable reconciliation, to develop a culturally safe and welcoming education system for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, employees, and our wider community.
By continuing to build upon our ongoing reconciliation journey our second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan aims to reflect on the significance of reconciliation and how it is essential to our growth as an organisation and a nation, to provide better outcomes for the next generations.
We are a community grounded in faith, and we must inspire and challenge each other and identify where we have fallen short. As Brisbane Catholic Education listens to the voices of First Nation communities, we continue the journey to improving every student's education.
Through the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025, our goal is to continue building authentic and positive connections to advance reconciliation, create culturally safe environments and better outcomes for students. We respect all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and honour their cultures, lands, waters histories and rights. We commit to providing opportunities to share knowledge and engage in growth for First Nations staff, students and communities to thrive.
The Brisbane Catholic Education Reconciliation Action Plan
What is an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan?
Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation. There are four Reconciliation Action Plan types – Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate – these allow organisations to progress on their reconciliation journey by continuously develop their reconciliation commitments. An Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan focuses on developing and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, engaging staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, and developing and piloting innovative strategies to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Story Behind the BCE Reconciliation Action Plan Artwork
“Like a fresh new dawn, Reconciliation Action Plans provide Hope to heal the hurts of the past and move forward into a brand-new day. This Artwork tells a story of Hope over Brisbane Catholic Education's Reconciliation Journey." Jenny Kent – 2022.
A powerful theme of 'hope' is threaded throughout this artwork, created by Quandamooka, Jinibara, and Warraburra woman Jenny Kent. Having worked at Brisbane Catholic Education's Ngutana-Lui Cultural Centre, Jenny consulted across all levels of the organisation to discuss reconciliation.