Reconciliation Action Plan
Templestowe College Reconciliation Action Plan Vision Statement 2025-2027
‘Yan Kondee Yirramboi – Walking to Tomorrow’
By Simone Thomson
Templestowe College stands on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people close to Birrarung (Yarra River), Bolin Bolin Billabong, Yingabeal scar tree, and Pound Bend Reserve. The surrounding area abounds in natural and cultural heritage including stringybark and manna gum forests, rich wildlife, traditional aquaculture and land management, scar trees, and rich cultural traditions that are maintained to this day.
Our school community acknowledges the Wurundjeri people's enduring care for Country, which has spanned countless generations. We honour the wisdom of their Elders, and the deep knowledge held within the land itself. As a community, we strive to walk on this land with respect and in genuine partnership with the Wurundjeri people and all First Nations communities. Through this partnership, we aim to deepen our understanding and respect, learning from both Elders and the land to embrace our shared responsibility to care for Country.
We see reconciliation as an active process of learning and listening. Recognising the ongoing impact of colonisation on First Nations communities, we proudly and respectfully work with our school community of students, families and staff to deepen our collective understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experience, with a focus on historical acceptance, truth-telling, and celebrating the great strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples and their many diverse achievements.
We commit to creating initiatives that foster self-determination for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families. This means creating opportunities for students, families, and community to connect with our school on their own terms in a way that feels safe for them. We celebrate the rich tapestry of community and family connections that our students bring with them to our school and commit to reflecting this richness in our learning environments, programs, and policies.
We are committed to building ongoing relationships with our local Indigenous community and organisations to improve our practice and continue to work towards a culturally safe, equitable, and inclusive society for all.
We have begun this journey and will continue to walk together to our shared future.
This statement was co-created by staff and students via our RAP Working Group. Following a consultation phase with community and our regional Koorie Education Office, we are proud to share our vision for Reconciliation that will help guide our work over the coming three years.
We welcome interested community members (students, staff, parents, community) to join our RAP Working Group. First Nations students, staff, and families are warmly encouraged to join in any capacity along our journey towards this shared vision. Please contact Ryan Griffith RGR@tc.vic.edu.au or connect@tc.vic.edu.au if you would like to know more about our RAP process.