Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

Acknowledgment of Country

At Hester Hornbrook Academy we acknowledge the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which we teach, learn and work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We also acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff, students and families within our community. Our school recognises that the education system in this country is a colonial construct, and we commit to decolonise our teaching, learning and wellbeing practices. Our staff honour the educational customs that have existed as part of the oldest continuous living culture on Earth. We have a deep appreciation for the sacrifices and ongoing resistance of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong peoples. We acknowledge that we all continue to benefit from their protection of culture, land and waterways. We live on unceded Land. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

VISION FOR RECONCILIATION

We proudly acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff at Hester Hornbrook Academy, extending this recognition to their families, communities and Country. We honour their strength and resilience, while committing to dismantling the systemic disadvantage imposed by Australia’s education system. We are dedicated to actively addressing the ongoing impacts of colonisation by prioritising unlearning and relearning. We will engage staff and students in meaningful conversations about privilege and cultural safety, fostering an environment where all voices are heard and respected.

Our commitment is to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, cultures, and perspectives, in an open, honest and respectful way, into our curriculum. Our vision extends beyond our school, aiming to build strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, organisations and families. By respectfully including their histories and cultures into our practices, we aim to cultivate a shared appreciation of the rich heritage and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in history and today. Whilst individually grappling with Australia’s true and often unspoken histories, we recognise that open conversations are vital to students’ wellbeing.

We are dedicated to creating a nurturing environment that allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to thrive. We commit to strengthening and uplifting students’ identity. Cultural safety requires collective effort and accountability. We will continuously reflect on our practices, engage in ongoing professional development and ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to effectively support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and all students. Together, we can build a legacy of pride and resilience that uplifts, enriches and empowers our entire community.

Read the Hester Hornbrook Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in full here.

Interactive learning during a visit from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation

Hester Hornbrook students and staff make artwork to acknowledge significant cultural celebrations such as Reconciliation Week.