Reconciliation
We acknowledge and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the path they have travelled before us, as well as the path we continue to travel alongside them.
In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our Diocese sits, the Darug and Gundungurra Peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and honour the connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country, culture, community and knowledge.
We recognise that reconciliation is an ongoing journey of learning, listening, reflection and action. Guided by our Catholic values of dignity, respect, justice and community, Ambrose is committed to walking together in the spirit of reconciliation and embedding the cultural perspectives of the Traditional Custodians throughout our Early Learning and School Age Care services.
How we Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives...
Across our services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are woven into everyday experiences, interactions and learning opportunities. We strive to create culturally safe and inclusive environments where all children develop a sense of respect, understanding and appreciation for Australia’s First Peoples.
Some of the ways we do this in our services are by:
- Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures visibly throughout our learning environments and service spaces.
- Exploring and respectfully incorporating local language, stories and cultural knowledge into learning experiences, in partnership with local Aboriginal communities where possible.
- Beginning group gatherings, meetings and events with a child-friendly Acknowledgement of Country.
- Providing authentic books, music, games, artworks and resources created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors, artists and creators.
- Encouraging children’s understanding of Australia’s shared histories and the significance of Country, culture and community.
- Building respectful relationships with local Aboriginal communities and inviting community members to share their stories, language, knowledge and cultural perspectives.
Our Commitment Moving Forward...
We understand that meaningful reconciliation requires ongoing reflection, learning and growth. We are committed to continually strengthening our knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and perspectives.
As we move forward, we will continue to:
- Recognise that each Aboriginal community is unique, learning from the local Traditional Custodians and community members whose knowledge, histories and perspectives help shape practices at Ambrose.
- Reflect on our practices to ensure they are culturally responsive, respectful and authentic.
- Seek opportunities for meaningful collaboration and partnership with local Aboriginal people and organisations.
- Support educators to deepen their cultural knowledge and confidence through professional learning.
- Foster children’s curiosity, encouraging them to ask questions, share their thinking and develop respectful understandings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through meaningful experiences, conversations and relationships.
- Create learning environments where every child feels a sense of belonging and develops an understanding of reconciliation as a shared responsibility.
Through our commitment to reconciliation, Ambrose aims to nurture a generation of children who value diversity, celebrate culture, and contribute to a respectful and inclusive community.