As part of Reconciliation Week, Parade College proudly hosted Road to Reconciliation Day, a powerful and engaging event dedicated to learning, reflection, and action on the journey toward reconciliation in Australia.
The day brought together students from Santa Maria College, St Joseph’s College Geelong, St Bernard’s College, and Marymede Catholic College, who joined our own students in a spirit of unity, respect, and learning. The event was a meaningful opportunity to deepen our collective understanding of the importance of reconciliation with First Nations peoples.
Throughout the day, students engaged in a variety of interactive workshops, each designed to spark conversation, build empathy, and inspire action. These workshops explored themes such as truth-telling, the significance of land and culture, allyship, and the ongoing impact of colonisation. Many students spoke of the powerful impact these sessions had on their perspectives and their desire to be part of meaningful change.
A number of our students also attended the Long Walk event at Loyola College, where students had the unique opportunity to meet and hear from Eddie Betts, a proud Aboriginal man and former AFL star. This event recreated the historic Long Walk taken by Michael Long, symbolising a continued commitment to justice and recognition for First Nations Australians. Eddie Betts shared his personal journey and insights, inspiring students with his message of resilience, hope, and the power of education and allyship.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our visiting schools for their meaningful participation, and to Loyola College for graciously hosting us for the Long Walk event. Your support and shared commitment enriched this important initiative.
Our Year 7 students recently took part in their annual Reflection Day, an opportunity to pause and connect with one another. The focus for the day was on the importance of respect and acceptance, core values that shape our community and guide how we relate to one another and to the world around us.
Throughout the day, students took part in a range of vibrant and engaging cultural immersion workshops, which provided meaningful opportunities to explore and appreciate the richness of global cultures.
These workshops, including Polynesian Culture, Aboriginal Storytelling, African Drumming, Chinese Martial Arts and Bollywood Dancing encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones, listen to new perspectives, and celebrate diversity through hands-on experiences.
The day concluded with a reflective liturgy, inviting students to consider how they are called to live out the Edmund Rice Touchstones: Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community, and Justice and Solidarity. In this sacred space, students reflected on their own experiences, how they can contribute to a respectful and accepting community, and how they are called to walk alongside others with empathy and resilience.
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