Aboriginal Program and Reconciliation Action Plan

Aboriginal Program

Dominic College takes great pride in our Aboriginal students and their families who are connected to and continue one of the oldest living cultures known in the world. We have over fifty Aboriginal students who attend the College in Kindergarten – Year 10.

One of our aims as a College is to support our Aboriginal students to continue holding and creating that culture and for all of our students to learn about and treasure Aboriginal culture as part of our national heritage.

The Aboriginal Program includes a diverse range of activities that can include visits to TMAG, cultural awareness workshops and targeted learning activities. The College’s mural of kunanyi, developed by Aboriginal students is an example of the positive outcomes of the Aboriginal Program.

The College has Aboriginal student leaders who are discerned and sit on our 7-10 and K-6 Student Representative Councils to give voice to these students and facilitate their leadership skills.

Recognition of our First Nation Peoples

There are a number of ways that we recognize the importance and unique place of our First Nation Peoples in our country. The College community makes an Acknowledgement of Country at all significant gatherings including student assemblies, masses and community events.

The College proudly flies the Aboriginal Flag, alongside the Australian National Flag and the Tasmanian State Flag.

We also recognize the original inhabitants of the lands on which the College is built – the muwinina people. The College community mourns the loss of the muwinina people and has created a commemorative installation that acknowledges and remembers them as the original custodians of these lands.

Dominic College recognizes the extraordinary work of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people – the pakana people, to retrieve and revive their language: palawa kani,the language of Tasmanian Aborigines. We acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) as the body with responsibility for the palawa kani Language Program across lutruwita/Tasmania. The College is fortunate to have been granted permission by TAC to use palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aborigines, in the naming and identification of our K-2 classes and their learning spaces.

With permission, palawa kani is also used on the College’s Peace Pole, acting as a reminder to think and act in the spirit of peace to all.

Aboriginal Reconciliation Action Plan

The College continues to be committed to reconciliation and has developed an Aboriginal Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), through the Reconciliation Australia Narragunnawali platform.

The development of the College’s RAP was led by our palawa Cultural Mentor, Angela Triffitt.

The RAP is divided into three areas: in the classroom, around the school, and with the community. The RAP is driven by a committee of staff, students and parents.

Annual Events

The College community annually marks NAIDOC Week to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

National Reconciliation Week and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is also part of the College’s Annual Calendar.

There are a number of highly significant days that are important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and should be in the consciousness of all Australians across the year.

Curriculum Integration

The College integrates the Australian Curriculum’s Cross curriculum priority - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures priority provides opportunities for all students to deepen their knowledge of Australia by engaging with the world’s oldest continuous living cultures. Through the Australian Curriculum, we work to ensure that students will understand that contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are strong, resilient, rich and diverse.

The College Library

Dominic College’s Library is a centre and reservoir of rich resources for use in our development and awareness of Aboriginal histories and culture and perspectives. All in our community are encouraged to access these diverse resources.

The College Library also features a palawa kani Word Wall which makes palawa kani,the language of Tasmanian Aborigines available for everyone.