College Celebrations
NAIDOC Week provided an important opportunity for the St Edward’s College community to celebrate the histories, cultures, knowledge and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while continuing to strengthen our commitment to reconciliation, cultural understanding and meaningful relationships with First Nations peoples.
Throughout the week, students and staff participated in a number of significant cultural and educational experiences centred on Country, connection, identity and reconciliation.
Whole-School Collaborative Artwork – Connection to Country
One of the major initiatives of the week was the creation of a whole-school collaborative artwork, with every student, along with many staff members, contributing a thumbprint or handprint to the completed piece.
The artwork depicts a bird’s-eye view of the Central Coast landscape and reflects our collective connection to Country. It symbolises the way each person within our College community contributes to our shared story and our relationship with the place in which we learn, work and gather.
We were privileged to welcome Wade Smith and Cassandra Gibbs to the College across two days to guide students through the creation of the artwork. Wade and Cassandra shared the story and meaning behind the work and helped students develop a greater understanding of the significance of symbols, colours and visual storytelling within First Nations cultures.
Their generosity in sharing their knowledge ensured that the activity was much more than simply creating an artwork. It became an opportunity for our entire College community to listen, learn and develop a deeper appreciation of the importance of Country, culture and connection.
Official Opening of Gibarly – First Nations Education Space
A particularly significant milestone during NAIDOC Week was the official opening of Gibarly, the College’s dedicated First Nations Education Space.
Gibarly has been established as a visible and meaningful place where First Nations students, families, staff and community members can gather, learn, share and connect. The space will support a range of initiatives including student mentoring, cultural programs, yarning circles, family engagement, Personalised Learning Pathway conversations and the development of teaching and learning resources. Importantly, the intention is for the room to be more than simply a physical space; it represents the College’s ongoing commitment to ensuring First Nations education is embedded within the identity, relationships and learning culture of the College.
The name Gibarly, meaning “come together” , reflects this purpose of gathering, connection, shared responsibility, listening and learning. Its establishment also strongly reflects the Edmund Rice Touchstones of Inclusive Community, Justice and Solidarity, and Liberating Education, ensuring that cultural recognition is accompanied by meaningful and practical action.
The opening ceremony was led by Uncle Tim Selwyn and Uncle Brad Twyhnam, who guided those gathered through the cultural significance of the occasion. The ceremony included a Smoking Ceremony before Gibarly itself was smoked as part of its formal opening.
First Nations students then left hand stencils on the walls of the room, creating a permanent legacy within the space. These handprints symbolically impart something of each student’s presence and spirit into Gibarly and will remain as a connection between the students of today and those who will gather in the space in years to come.
Joint NAIDOC Assembly with St Joseph’s College
Our celebrations also brought the communities of St Edward’s College and St Joseph’s College together for a joint NAIDOC Week Assembly.
The assembly commenced with a procession led by Uncle Gavi Duncan, setting an important cultural tone for the gathering. Students from both Colleges then took an active role in the assembly, speaking about the significance and meaning of NAIDOC Week and sharing updates on the initiatives and work taking place within their respective College communities.
A highlight of the assembly was the presentation of two awards recognising student leadership in culture and reconciliation.
The Cultural Engagement Award was presented to a First Nations student, Fletcher Johnson, who has positively engaged with cultural opportunities, demonstrated pride in his identity and acted as an advocate for First Nations cultures within the College community.
The Promoting Reconciliation Award was presented to Seamus Meares, who has made a meaningful contribution to reconciliation by fostering respect, understanding and positive engagement with First Nations peoples, cultures and perspectives.
These awards recognise that reconciliation is strengthened through the actions of individuals who are prepared to participate, advocate, listen and contribute positively to their community.
Continuing Our Journey
Together, these experiences made NAIDOC Week an important celebration for our College community. However, the work represented throughout the week does not begin and end with NAIDOC Week.
The collaborative artwork, the establishment of Gibarely, our partnership with St Joseph’s College, and our growing relationships with First Nations community members all represent an ongoing commitment to ensuring First Nations cultures, histories, perspectives and voices are respected, visible and meaningfully embedded within College life.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Uncle Tim Selwyn, Uncle Brad Twyhnam, Uncle Gavi Duncan, Wade Smith and Cassandra Gibbs, along with the many students, staff, families and community members who contributed to the week. Their generosity, knowledge and willingness to walk alongside our College continue to strengthen our community and our shared journey towards reconciliation.
