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RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN 2016-2017
RECONCILIATION
ACTION PLAN 2016-2017
Message from Dr Tim McDonald, Executive Director
The inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan for the offices of Catholic Education Western Australia calls
us to individually embrace reconciliation in order to become a mature, action-focussed organisation
intent on making a difference.
Demographic data shows that many of our schools do not reflect the demographic of their
community. In the south-west of Western Australia, where more than 50% of the State’s Aboriginal
people live, our schools cater for a very small proportion of these students.
Our Transforming Lives: Strategy 2025, which is a key element within our Reconciliation Action
Plan, has the bold goal to:
• Double Aboriginal student enrolments from 2,500 to 5,000
• Double Year 12 graduation from 100 to 200
• Increase the percentage of Aboriginal students in Catholic schools who achieve above the
national minimum literacy and numeracy standard from 75% to 90%.
I look forward to the contribution that we can all make to this Strategy.
Through reconciliation, we can all make a significant contribution to the economic sustainability
of our Aboriginal brothers and sisters through education, the Aboriginal Employment Strategy and
Supply Nation.
I know we have the will and clear intent and the Reconciliation Action Plan gives us the vehicle to
convert that intent into do-able actions that allow each of us to make a significant contribution to
authentic reconciliation.
When I look at the work that has gone into creating this Reconciliation Action Plan, I am filled with
hope that we can implement it with focus, clarity and authenticity.
Dr Tim McDonald, Executive Director,
Catholic Education Western Australia
Acknowledgment In the spirit of reconciliation, Catholic Education Western Australia acknowledges and
pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders, both past and present, of the lands on
which Catholic Education Western Australia’s schools, offices and operations are located.
Message from Justin Mohamed
CEO Reconciliation Australia
I am very pleased that the offices of Catholic Education Western
Australia (CEWA) have committed to implementing their first
Reconciliation Action Plan — an Innovate RAP.
Our RAP program is integral in effecting social change in
workplaces around the country through turning good intentions
into measurable actions. By implementing this RAP, the CEWA
offices now join more than 600 organisations dedicated to
providing meaningful opportunities in education, employment
and business for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Education is a fundamental building block for reconciliation,
and as the executive arm of the Catholic Education Commission
of Western Australia, the CEWA offices have the capacity to
play an instrumental role in fostering reconciliation among
the next generation.
This RAP was developed with the invaluable knowledge and experiences of CEWA Executive
Director Dr Tim McDonald, as well as recently retired Reconciliation Australia Board Director,
the Hon Fred Chaney AO. Their input has enabled the CEWA offices to develop a sustainable
RAP, which formalises their commitment to advocate for better relationships and greater respect
between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community.
In this inaugural RAP, the CEWA offices have committed to a set of clear and achievable
actions, focused on embedding cultural learning across the organisation, supporting Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander business and implementing their Aboriginal Employment Strategy.
These important elements of the RAP will assist the CEWA offices to strengthen the initiatives
they already deliver and to develop new partnerships, activities and opportunities to advance
reconciliation.
I congratulate the offices of CEWA on their genuine commitment to reconciliation and to improving
the social and economic wellbeing of First Australians. I look forward to working together to build
a reconciled, just and equitable Australia.
Justin Mohamed
Chief Executive Officer
Reconciliation Australia
Message from The Hon Fred Chaney AO
The Australian community has to an unprecedented extent
become involved in reconciliation through Reconciliation Action
Plans (RAP) and other initiatives. In doing so, there is acceptance
that there is a broad responsibility, beyond governments, to
help ‘close the gap’. This comes at a time when the Federal
Government has endeavoured to sharpen political and
government focus with a massive re-organisation of how the
Commonwealth goes about its business, and there is bi-partisan
support for Constitutional recognition. In these respects it can be
said to be the best of times.
However, the continuing place of the world’s oldest living
culture is still unfinished business. Reconciliation requires more
than the legally mandated deals involving Aboriginal native title.
It requires a largeness of both mind and heart and preparedness
to allow space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to determine what collective
identities they wish to maintain as they rightly enjoy equal citizenship. Beyond that, we need to
settle the relationship between those first nations and the rest of us. Are we big enough to see
beyond assimilation?
I was invited to provide my thoughts on reconciliation to staff members from the offices of Catholic
Education Western Australia at an event in 2014. It is evident from this RAP that significant work has
been undertaken by the RAP working group since then. I therefore wish to pass on my appreciation
to all those involved in the development of this document.
As I conclude my involvement on the Board of Reconciliation Australia after 15 years, I am proud
of the advances that have been made within our society, in relation to Aboriginal social policy.
At the same time, I acknowledge the substantial work that is still required. The Catholic Education
Western Australia offices’ RAP will in no small way help to undertake some of the work ahead.
The role of education is central to the advancement of Aboriginal people in our country. It therefore
brings me great pleasure to provide my endorsement to this RAP, and acknowledge the benefits
it will bring to all those involved directly or indirectly with Catholic education in Western Australia.
The Hon Fred Chaney AO
The Hon Fred Chaney AO is the founding co-chair of Reconciliation Australia and an early advocate
for Aboriginal voting rights. Fred’s contribution includes establishing the Graham (Polly) Farmer
Foundation, which supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to reach their
potential. Fred’s long history of public service is rooted in his fierce commitment to social justice
and a belief in the inherent equality of people. Fred inspires others to work collaboratively,
respectfully and ambitiously to overcome the barriers that inhibit people’s full economic and
social participation in Australian society.
The offices of Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) are committed to ensuring that our
schools and workplaces are welcoming communities that embrace the diversity of our members.
We strive to honour the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in our society.
The CEWA offices are committed to providing assistance to schools as we strive to offer culturally
supportive education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and closing gaps between
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students in school enrolment, attendance and achievement.
The CEWA offices seek to promote reconciliation through our work, and support schools
in creating opportunities for all staff and students, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, to learn about
and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. The CEWA offices’
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and our Transforming Lives: Strategy 2025 document lay out
achievable, measureable targets that will indicate our reconciliation vision is being fulfilled.
Our Mission
The work of the CEWA offices is mandated by the Bishops of Western Australia, and guided by our
strategic intent LEAD - Learning, Engagement, Accountability and Discipleship. We are dedicated
to supporting Catholic schools to become welcoming environments that help all those involved in
school life connect with Jesus and his teachings. Catholic school communities exist to assist students,
both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, live Gospel-inspired lives that enrich society. The Gospel priorities
of love for God and neighbour direct the work of the CEWA offices towards reconciliation, while
improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students has been identified
as a focus area.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
The CEWA offices’ RAP was developed by the RAP Working Party, consisting of Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal CEWA office staff from across the state and from each directorate, with Edward
Simons, Director Governance and Administrative Services, as the project’s executive sponsor.
The Working Party developed the RAP over the course of 2014-2015, in consultation with
Reconciliation Western Australia and the Catholic Education Aboriginal Committee (CEAC), and in
consideration of the Forrest Review Report and its recommendations.
The RAP goes hand-in-hand with Transforming Lives: Strategy 2025, guiding progress towards
long-term goals for improvements in Aboriginal education.
Our Reconciliation Journey
The RAP is the latest initiative in CEWA’s long-standing commitment to Aboriginal reconciliation and
education across the state. It outlines a strategy that builds on past achievements and established
projects. Amongst these are the nationally recognised Aboriginal Teaching Assistant program, which
offers on-the-job training towards Education Support qualifications, and is being adopted by the Northern
Territory Department of Education in 2016 due to its success. The establishment of Aboriginal playgroups
is providing support in Early Years Education, while a number of schools, particularly Clontarf Aboriginal
College and Catholic Agricultural College Bindoon, provide culturally supportive boarding for students
from remote and regional areas. The CEAC offers guidance and develops policy recommendations, while
the CEWA Aboriginal Education Team serves schools to assist staff in developing better understanding
of the histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The CEWA offices currently
employ 251 staff in Perth, Bunbury, Geraldton and Broome, including 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander staff. The offices also run a cadetship and traineeship program to increase the participation of
Aboriginal people in their work. Two cadets graduated from the program in 2015, and two trainees and
a cadet were participating as of the beginning of 2016. The CEWA offices have been partnering with
the Sorry Day committee for a number of years to organise annual reconciliation events on Sorry Day.
Catholic schools are also the sole providers of formal education in seven remote WA communities.
OUR RECONCILIATION VISION
Action Responsibility Timeline (with quarterly reviews)
Measurable Targets
1. Establish a RAP Governance
Group to actively monitor
RAP development, including
implementation of actions, tracking
progress and reporting
Director Governance
and Administrative
Services
February, April,
July, October
annually
■ Ensure whole office engagement and implementation of
RAP by 2017
■ Facilitate the sharing of system wide RAPs with schools
■ RAP service provision to schools and external stakeholders
■ Promote and monitor broad stakeholder engagement
with the CEWA offices’ RAP in order to maximise the
impact of its initiatives
■ RAP Governance Group to meet four times per year
2. Foster and sustain professional
relationships with key stakeholders in
order to demonstrate best practices
in governance, communication,
learning and engagement
Director Governance
and Administrative
Services
December 2016 ■ Generate relationships with ten key Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander groups to facilitate achieving the
RAP actions
3. Celebrate National Reconciliation
Week (NRW) by providing
opportunities for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander employees
and other employees to build
relationships
Director Governance
and Administrative
Services
21st May – 4th
June 2016
20th May – 3rd
June 2017
■ Organise at least one internal event each year
Relationships: The Bishops’ Mandate calls CEWA, as a Catholic organisation, to witness for Christ and to promote Gospel values
leading to reconciliation and justice. Building strong relationships between all Australians is a necessary response to
this call. It is therefore essential for the CEWA offices to build and develop connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples to ensure we demonstrate best practices in governance, communication, learning and engagement.
RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
Action Responsibility Timeline (with
quarterly reviews)
Measurable Targets
4. Develop systematic cultural
competency initiatives in all
CEWA offices
Director Teaching
and Learning
December 2016 ■ Review current practice around Cultural Competency
Initiatives (CCI) by mid 2016
■ Implement office CCI strategy by December 2016
■ All staff to observe cultural awareness throughout
interview processes
5. Link state-wide cultural immersion
to accreditation (to work, to teach,
leadership, social justice)
Director Religious
Education
December 2016 ■ Develop links within staff learning and development
programs e.g. optional Aboriginal social justice units within
Accreditation
■ Embed a Cultural Immersion Program as an element to
the CEWA Induction and Faith Story and Witness
6. Enrich employee understanding
of the protocols around
Acknowledgement of Country and
Welcome to Country ceremonies
to ensure there is shared meaning
behind the ceremonies
Director Governance
and Administrative
Services
June 2016 ■ Implement a protocol for Acknowledgement of Country
and Welcome to Country and display prominently in each
meeting room and made available through the intranet
■ All staff apply the CEWA offices’ meeting protocols when
they are leading every formal meeting or presenting at
schools by mid 2016
■ Ensure that a Welcome to Country is conducted at all
new school openings and at the annual whole of staff
development day
7. Build connections with heritage of
place at all CEWA offices
Director Finance,
Planning and School
Resources
June 2016 ■ Display plaques and signs acknowledging local Traditional
Owners by mid 2016
■ Secure, promote and display cultural art and icons
■ Research and obtain suitable cultural gifts for visiting
presenters
■ Research and share the history and heritage of CEWA
office sites
8. Recognise and mark Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples
national days of significance to
provide all staff with opportunities
for learning and engagement
around peoples’ histories
and cultures
Director Teaching
and Learning
June 2016 ■ Acknowledge and promote:
– NAIDOC Week
– National Reconciliation Week
– Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday
– Sorry Day
– Harmony Day
■ Provide opportunities for all staff to participate in events
acknowledging these days/weeks. e.g. social club holding
specific events
9. Ensure our offices visibly
acknowledge and respect
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples’ connection to country
Director Finance,
Planning and School
Resources
June 2016 ■ Display Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and
artworks
10. Provide opportunities for CEWA
offices’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander employees to engage
with their culture and community
through NAIDOC Week events
Director Teaching
and Learning
July 2016 ■ Review HR policies and procedures to ensure there are
no barriers to staff participating in NAIDOC
■ Provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander employees to participate in local NAIDOC
Week events
Respect: Respect for human dignity is a fundamental teaching of the Catholic faith based on the belief that all are made in the
image and likeness of God. The CEWA offices are committed to the understanding, appreciation and acknowledgement
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures.
RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
Opportunities: CEWA is called to provide preferential treatment for the marginalised in our society. We acknowledge that this
can be achieved through demonstrating ongoing awareness and engagement with opportunities for reconciliation
throughout our work.
Action Responsibility Timeline (with quarterly reviews)
Measurable Targets
11. Investigate opportunities within
our organisation to increase
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
employment
Director Community
Engagement and
Employee Services
June 2016-2017 ■ Establish and implement firm targets as part of our
Aboriginal Employment Strategy
■ Identify and mentor suitable Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander candidates for teaching and leadership
■ Job advertisements to explicitly invite applications from
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
■ Place job advertisements in Indigenous publications
12. Create a high level strategic
development position within the
organisation to act in an advisory
role for Executive
Director Teaching
and Learning/
Executive
June 2016 ■ Job description created with specific focus on cultural skills
■ Identify and approach suitable Aboriginal and Torres Strait
islander candidates
■ Communicate purpose and intent for the position to all
Directorates & Commission
13. Investigate opportunities within
our organisation to increase
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
student enrolment, attendance
and learning outcomes
Director Teaching
and Learning
December 2016 ■ Develop, communicate and implement the Transforming
Lives: Strategy 2025 (see policy link)
14. Support Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander businesses
Director Finance,
Planning and School
Resources
June 2016 ■ Initiate contracts with Supply Nation accredited suppliers
■ Become an accredited member of Supply Nation
■ Encourage school RAPs to include supplier diversity
■ Educate staff about using Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander businesses
■ Develop at least one commercial relationship with an
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business
15. Host workplace traineeships and
cadetships in all CEWA offices
Director Community
Engagement and
Employee Services
December 2016 ■ All CEWA offices teams will offer to host opportunities
such as
– Cadetships and traineeships
– School and university students
Tracking Progress and Reporting
Action Responsibility Timeline (with quarterly reviews)
Measurable Targets
16. Report achievements, challenges
and learnings to Reconciliation
Australia for inclusion in the Annual
Impact Measurement Report
RAP Governance
Group
September
annually
■ Complete and submit the RAP Impact Measurement
Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia annually
A long-standing commitment to reconciliation in Catholic Education WA
1890
1910
1920
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
1847 Benedictines established mission at New Norcia and opened a school at New Norcia for Aboriginal boys
1892 First school opened at Beagle Bay
1908 Sisters of St John of God (Broome) opened St Mary’s School, Broome
1928 Christian Brothers opened St Mary’s Agriculture School, Tardun
1944 St Francis Xavier Native Mission opened for Aboriginal children at Wandering
1956 Pallottine Training Centre boys hostel opened at Rossmoyne for Aboriginal youth attending secondary schools in the metropolitan area or training as apprentices. Later a girls’ hostel was added
1971 Creation of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA). Opening of Nulungu College, Broome
1953 Sisters of St John of God (Broome) opened Holy Rosary School, Derby
1964 Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart opened St Joseph’s School, Wyndham
1979 Two Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart established Ngalangangpum School, Warmun
1981 St John’s Adult Education and Training Centre was established in conjunction with the Sisters of St John of God (Broome) at the Balgo Community
1986 Clontarf Aboriginal College, Waterford opened
1988 Regional Aboriginal Education Advisory Committees established
1994 CECWA Aboriginal Education Policy for Catholic schools is developed and implemented
1995 St Mary’s College, Broome created by amalgamation of St Mary’s Primary School and Nulungu Catholic Secondary School
2001 The inaugural Awards of Excellence in Catholic Aboriginal Education commenced
2011 ATA Upskilling Program commenced
2014 Aboriginal School Leadership Program launched
2015 Transforming Lives: Strategy 2025 launched
1974 Creation of an Aboriginal Education Program
1890 Beagle Bay mission established
by Trappist Fathers
1904 Teresian Sisters arrived from Spain to teach and care
for Aboriginal girls in the New Norcia Diocese
1913 Sisters of St John of God opened
Christ the King School in Lombadina
1948 The Presentation Sisters opened a school
at Tardun-Wandalgu
1954 Pallottine Fathers opened a Catholic school
at Balgo Hills Mission
1967 Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart opened St Joseph’s School, Kununurra
1979 Sisters of Mercy opened junior schools at Mulan and
Billiluna Aboriginal communities
1985 Two Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart founded the
Birlirr Ngawiyiwu School at Yaruman/Ringer Soak.
1987 Warlawurru Catholic School, Red Hill at Halls Creek opened
and staffed by the Canossian Daughters of Charity
1991 Gibb River Catholic Primary School opened; it is now
known as Wanalirri Catholic School
1998 Aboriginal Secondary Scholarship/Bursary
Program commences
2011 GECKOS Website launched
2016 Inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan launched
2014 Re-build of Ngalangangpum School, Warmun after devastating floods
1995 The state Catholic Education Aboriginal Committee
was established by CECWA
1963 Pallottine Fathers took charge of the
Wyndham and Halls Creek schools
1974 The Aboriginal Teaching Assistant (ATA) positon was first
created in Holy Rosary School, Derby
1942 Presentation Sisters opened St Cecilia’s Primary School,
Port Hedland
1900
2000
2010
Prayer for Reconciliation
Lord God, bring us together as one,
You made us in your likeness.
You gave us your Son, Jesus Christ.
He has given us forgiveness from sin.
Lord God, bring us together as one,
Different in culture, but given new life in Jesus Christ:
Together as your body, your church, your people.
Lord God, bring us together as one,
Reconciled, healed, forgiven,
Sharing you with others as you have called us to do.
In Jesus Christ, let us be together as one.
© Prayer by Bishop Arthur Malcolm taken from APBA.
Cover artwork: Nine Turtles painting by Elaine Cox. Used with permission of the artist, 2015.
For further information on this RAP please contact the RAP Governance Group,
care of Edward Simons, Director Governance and Administrative Services by email:
[email protected] or phone (08) 6380 5102.
With sincere thanks to all staff from CEWA offices across the state for their
contribution, in particular to the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Party:
The Hon Fred Chaney
Reconciliation Australia
Reconciliation Western Australia
The staff of Catholic Education
Western Australia offices
Catholic Education Aboriginal
Committee
Elaine Cox
Norman Brahim
Robyn Collard
Tanya Davies
Donna Deed
Christine Garstin
Maureen Hart
Peter Higgins
Steeve Lee
Val Martin
Eilis Murphy
MaryAnne Ryan
Lucy Searle
Edward Simons
Natalia Thomson
Vicki Tkacz
Fr Nino Vinciguerra
David Wood
Reconciliation Action Plan Working Party:
