FIRE Carriers  -  By Benjamin, Alexander, Ava, Angus, and Will

On Monday 10 November, 13 students from our school were chosen to become FIRE Carriers, which stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education. The ceremony began with opening prayers and a short talk about what being a FIRE Carrier really means in our school community. We spoke about the importance of reconciliation and how each of us can play a part in it. Afterwards, we spent time reflecting on our responsibilities and discussing ways we can promote awareness, understanding, and respect within our school.

It was a special moment that reminded us how small actions can make a big difference in bringing people together. This was especially clear when we heard how much previous and current FIRE Carriers from other schools had achieved through fundraisers. These fundraisers helped support First Nations Australians and their children to achieve positive educational outcomes.

We ended the day with the commissioning ceremony, where we officially became FIRE Carriers. We stood around a fire with our certificate and a copy of our school’s covenant, which holds our vision for the future and the core values of being a FIRE Carrier: Spirituality, Cultural Recognition and Awareness, and Practical Reconciliation and Justice. During the commissioning, everyone felt a strong sense of pride, knowing that what we were doing would make a positive impact on our school and the wider community.

To finish, we all read a pledge that will guide us on our journey towards becoming better allies and promoting reconciliation for the First Peoples of this country and helping to create a more equal Australia where everyone is valued and treated with respect, and where the wounds of our past can begin to heal.