William Carey Christian School recently came together as a whole-school community to create a ‘Sea of Hands’ installation ahead of National Reconciliation Week (NRW), which began this Wednesday, 27 May.
Students, teachers, staff, parents, carers and wider community participated in the installation by placing coloured hands supplied through Australians for Native Title And Reconciliation (ANTAR) to form the Aboriginal flag, creating a visible expression of unity, understanding and reconciliation across the school community.
The installation created a powerful visual display across the school grounds and provided students with a meaningful opportunity to participate in a shared act of reflection alongside their peers, teachers and families.
The event reflected this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, “All In for Reconciliation,” and encouraged students to consider the importance of reconciliation within Australia’s shared story. Events such as the Sea of Hands form part of the school’s commitment to nurturing students who are thoughtful, compassionate and equipped to contribute positively to their communities.
Principal Mr Keith McMullen said reconciliation is deeply connected to the Christian faith and the values of the school community.
“As a Christian school, the concept of and living out reconciliation are core to our faith.” Mr McMullen said.
“In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 tells us this: All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
“God reaches out through Christ’s death and resurrection and offers forgiveness and reconciliation.”
National Reconciliation Week provides an important opportunity for our students to reflect on Australia’s history, learn from it, and consider how we can contribute to a more just, united and hopeful future together.
“As Christians, and as a school community seeking to live out the teachings of Jesus, working towards reconciliation between people must remain an important priority.”
Throughout National Reconciliation Week, students across the school have been participating in classroom activities and discussions designed to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and contributions. Through age-appropriate learning experiences, students are encouraged to engage thoughtfully with meaningful actions for reconciliation.
National Reconciliation Week is observed annually from 27 May to 3 June and commemorates two significant milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey: the 1967 Referendum and the 1992 Mabo decision.
Mr McMullen encouraged families to continue engaging with conversations and learning around reconciliation beyond the week itself.
“Understanding the importance of these events, and their place within our nation’s story, is an important step toward building a more just, united, and hopeful future together.”
