Our school St Therese’s sits on sacred land which holds connection to our ancestors and their histories. We respect, honour and embrace all cultures across this land that we work, pray, learn and grow on.
St Therese’s respects our Traditional Owners of this land, the Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji people, who hold the knowledge of these lands and waterways. We pay respects to their elders and all elders past, present and emerging. We journey together inspired by Christ embracing faith, life and learning.
(2023 Acknowledgement to Country authored by our 2023 Year 6 First Nation Students and our Indigenous Liaison Officer Leanne Wanders.)
Our RAP Icon
In 2020 a small group of students worked with the CES Identity and Outreach Team to co-create an icon that would represent St Therese’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Firstly we sought approval from a Traditional Owner of the area to recreate images of the natural landscape. The Sun represents our light of creation and faith, shining down on us and providing warmth and comfort. The building represents our classrooms surrounded by the trees and rolling mountains. To honour our journey of faith, the students chose to place the Bible as close to the center as possible. The lines and dots coming from the sun represent our connection to each other and the land on which our school stands.
“The One” – Two piece artwork collaboration
In 2020, St Therese’s School initiated the development of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), collaborating with the CES Identity and Outreach Team, school leadership, our Indigenous Liaison Officer, and students. Together, we crafted a unique school icon, incorporating traditional landmarks with guidance from Cairns elder Hendrick Fourmile. Mrs Kimberly See Kee, a proud Kuku Yalanji and Kunganji woman, led students in creating a vibrant diptych painting titled ‘One,’ inspired by the RAP icon and the school’s vision, “Inspired by Christ, we journey together embracing faith, life, and learning.” Students from Year 4 to Year 6 dedicated their lunchtimes to contribute to this artwork, which reflects not only our RAP icon and vision but also the natural wonders surrounding us— the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, waterways, and mountains.
The top canvas (pictured left) symbolizes the surrounding mountains and coastal reef, embodying connections among staff, students, parents, parish and community.
The bottom canvas (pictured right) depicts our school’s RAP Icon, featuring elements like the Bible, school, Church, sun reef, mountains and trees, all previously workshopped by students.
Displayed proudly in our school entry foyer, ‘One’ has become a catalyst for conversations, pride and respect among students and staff.
St Therese’s School is committed to encouraging student agency and we have started a new initiative which supports our students to take on the responsibility of writing our Acknowledgement of Country for each new school year. Students work with our Indigenous Liaison Officer and support staff to create different meaningful and authentic acknowledgements to reflect our school’s values and commitment to continue our journey together inspired by Christ, embracing faith, life and learning.
Our school community’s journey is always forward moving and evolving. We are committed to further building collaborative relationships with our students, staff and traditional owners of the area and the collaborative journey beginning with our RAP Icon to today demonstrates authentic relationships which are collaborative, skill building and supportive of the history, passions and talents of our community.
