Trinity’s partnership with two remote Northern Territory schools, Alekarenge  and Murray Downs, plays a significant part in the School’s greater vision for reconciliation. Headmaster Tim Bowden said the School’s ethos of a thoroughly Christian education demands this sort of vision. 

“At the heart of the Christian message is a call to love. Jesus said: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12:31). The Trinity Grammar School community expresses this love through committing to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.

“Just as we are experiencing by partnering with Alekarenge and Murray Downs School, relationships flourish when truth is acknowledged, when respect is demonstrated, and when understanding is developed through education and interaction.” 

In Australia’s shared history of the last two and a half centuries, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced inequity, injustice, and disadvantage, where relationships have not flourished and understanding has fallen short. 

“Yet, through education, our School has an opportunity and an obligation to contribute to Reconciliation. Our Reconciliation Commitment Plan sets out these steps, drawing on Reconciliation Australia’s well-established themes of Respect, Relationships and Opportunities,” added Mr Bowden.
 

The commitments of Trinity include: 

• building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities that are founded on mutual respect, trust and inclusiveness 
• gladly welcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into the School to work alongside staff and students in learning activities  
• providing staff with a range of opportunities to build and extend their knowledge, understanding and respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, histories, and stories  
• developing the School community’s shared understanding of the purpose and significance of cultural ceremonies, including Welcome to Country, and increasing their prominence in the life of the School 
• embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, stories and histories in our curriculum  
• raising awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander current affairs, issues and events and encourage appropriate responses and perspectives.