Emanuel School is located on the ancestral lands of the Gadigal and Bidjigal people. Its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was officially passed in 2022, signifying a significant milestone in the School’s history. A number of projects and initiatives have been developed in response to action points outlined in the RAP.
Over the past decade, Emanuel School has developed a close relationship with its sister school in Jilkminggan, Northern Territory. Each year, one High School and two Primary School groups visit the Jilkminggan community, where students spend time engaging with the community, in particular, with the children. Activities include reading, playing, and exploring the local area together. Through sharing of experiences while attending Jilkminggan School, students begin to gain an understanding of the wisdom, challenges and ways of life that exists within this Indigenous community.
When Emanuel families visit Jilkminggan, the trip is paid for by our families. When the Jilkminggan community members visit Sydney, the Jilkminggan families contribute a nominal fee and Emanuel School pays for the costs in Sydney.
The school’s Reconciliation Week initiatives aim to foster understanding and collaboration and include panels, fundraisers and other events. Staff attend cultural awareness training workshops and courses and some of the school’s learning areas have local Aboriginal names.
Led by Kornmehl Centre Emanuel Pre-school, the Emanuel community produces hundreds of care packs containing essential items for young children. These are delivered to Gunawirra, a not-for-profit organisation in Redfern that supports Aboriginal Country Pre-schools.
Emanuel School is looking to install a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Educator / Aunty or Uncle-in-Residence to support Emanuel School’s staff and students to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, understandings and perspectives. The role includes consulting and guiding school leaders in the development of inclusive policies and practices, working with teachers to create meaningful programmes and content for our students and advising the School’s next steps in its Reconciliation Action Plan.
Emanuel’s diverse range of initiatives demonstrates the School’s strong commitment to reconciliation, cultural awareness, and community engagement. By actively working towards creating a more inclusive and respectful environment, the School hopes to shape future generations of empathetic and culturally sensitive leaders.