Culture, connection and community at St Bernardine’s First Nations Games Day

Reconciliation, cultural learning and community connection were at the heart of BCE’s inaugural First Nations Games Day, hosted by St Bernardine’s Primary School, Regents Park earlier this term. 
 
The event united students from across the BCE community to learn directly from First Nations cultures through authentic experiences, traditional games and cultural exchange. 
 
First Nations Games Day is one example of St Bernardine’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation and cultural responsiveness, providing students with meaningful opportunities to deepen their understanding and appreciation of First Nations histories, cultures and perspectives. 
 
St Bernardine’s Principal Katrina Bartholomew said the event was designed to bring students together through cultural learning, relationship-building and friendly competition. 
 
“The event moves reconciliation beyond awareness and into action by creating opportunities for students, staff and families to engage directly with First Nations culture in respectful and meaningful ways.” 
 
Students participated in Buroinjin, a traditional Indigenous Australian ball game led and umpired by First Nations students from St Augustine’s College, Augustine Heights. 
 
Adapted from the game originally played by the Kabi Kabi / Gubbi Gubbi people of southern Queensland, Buroinjin combines fast-paced action with strategic teamwork, fostering physical activity while promoting cultural understanding, cooperation and pride. 
 
The day began with a traditional Welcome to Country by Mununjalli/Yuggera man Christopher McGregor and a Smoking Ceremony, followed by cultural performances by Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company.  
 
Schools participating in the event included St Peter and Paul’s School, Bulimba, St Martin’s School, Carina, St Sebastian’s Primary School, Yeronga, St Augustine’s College, Augustine Heights, and St Vincent’s Primary School, Clear Island Waters. 
 
At St Bernardine’s, initiatives such as the Deadly Diruns First Nations student group, a dedicated yarning circle, Come and Yarn family events, and ongoing partnerships with Elders and community members help foster a culture of respect, understanding and belonging. 
 
Katrina said the event also created valuable opportunities for students from different schools to build relationships while promoting inclusion and mutual respect. 
 
“Our hope is that First Nations Games Day continues to grow as a meaningful cultural and educational experience that brings school communities together,” she said. 
 
“Most importantly, we hope the event helps students develop a lifelong respect for First Nations peoples, cultures and histories, and inspires them to be active contributors to reconciliation in their own communities.” 
 
As BCE’s first event of its kind, the First Nations Games Day highlighted the power of sport and shared experiences to strengthen connections, celebrate culture and support reconciliation across school communities. 

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Image caption: The student team from St Bernardine's participate in the First Nations Games Day. ©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Bernardine’s Primary School, Regents Park.