FIRE Carrier Programme

The aim of the FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carrier Project is to promote respect, justice, enculturation and reconciliation for all Aboriginal people.

To be a FIRE Carrier is to exercise an important leadership role in the school community. FIRE carriers are students and teachers that share a passion for learning about Aboriginal culture and history and are committed to sharing this knowledge and promoting reconciliation and justice within and beyond the school community.

This year Notre Dame held their FIRE Carrier Commissioning at Winton Wetlands.

Notre Dame College Covenant

A Covenant is a sacred agreement.

Covenants emphasize the ethos and faith belief of Catholic schools and the Social Justice response they are committed to make as part of their Christian identity. Schools’ expressed commitment is reflected in practical goals and actions which they strive to achieve in the year ahead.

School covenants express in ways, specific to each school, recognition of the special contribution Aboriginal peoples and their cultures make to Australian society, their relationship and spiritual connection to the land. They declare the school and school community’s commitment to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal peoples to achieve true reconciliation and acknowledgement, by all Australians, of their rightful position within Australian society. (firecarriers Sandhurst.pdf)

(This document is currently under review)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Educators

At Notre Dame College we have several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education (ATSIE) support workers who provide assistance to our students.

Their role is to:

• Empower First Nations students and families to take ownership responsibility school.
• Assist teachers in developing and delivering a culturally diverse curriculum.
• Provide cultural awareness to all students and staff at Notre Dame College.
• Provide assistance and support to First Nations students to achieve improved educational outcomes.
• Support staff in understanding the educational, health and wellbeing needs of First Nations students.
• Provide assistance to Pastoral Group Leaders, Heads of House and the Director of the Year 9 Programme.
• Meet with all First Nations students at Knight Street and Emmaus.
• Liaise with various First Nations support agencies with regard to achieving successful outcomes.
• Act as a support person/mentor to First Nations students wherever required.
• Oversee the development of Individual Cultural Plans for each First Nations student at Notre Dame College.
• Assist parents of First Nations students to complete forms, applications and obtaining Aboriginal Identification etc. where required.
• Maintain and nurture strong community links.
• To be a conduit between school and community.

First Nations Leaders

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Educators are supported by our 2024 First Nations student leaders, Milana Best and Blayne O'Brien.

The First Nations Leader promotes the participation and gives voice to our First Nations students and families, both within the College and in the wider community.

Responsibilities include:

• having the ability to represent the College community in the area of First Nations and to take a leading role in this area within the College.
• demonstrating creativity and energy in student involvement in First Nations/Indigenous projects and events.
• keeping the school body informed about First Nations/Indigenous initiatives within the College via assemblies, the College Newsletter and social media, and the daily bulletins.
• coordinating and/or assisting in various First Nations/indigenous initiatives and projects within the College.

Indigenous Youth Leadership Program

The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) offers scholarships and leadership opportunities to young, First Nations Australians, with a focus on Indigenous youth from remote or regional communities.

The IYLP gives Indigenous young people the opportunity to study at high performing secondary schools and gain practical leadership experiences, personal development, and mentoring.

Madec’s IYLP scholarship program is designed to assist participating students to successfully complete year 12 and transition to further education or employment. The program also aims to enable participants to take advantage of opportunities they might not otherwise have the access to.

Ganbina

Notre Dame College maintains a close partnership with Ganbina. Ganbina is Australia’s most successful Indigenous school-to-work transition program , working closely with Valerie Atkinson who has over 20 years experience in the field of koori education.

Rumbalara Aged Care

Activities with the residents of Rumbalara aged care is a positive program for students, which reinforces and promotes strong cultural connections within their community. Both elders and students build nurturing relationships and students create stronger spiritual connections with their elders.