In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Country on which we live, play, pray, learn and work.
We pay our respects to the Elders of the Bundjalung Country, past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Dear members of the Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School community,
We are pleased to launch our Unity Through Learning newsletter that shares with our community several important initiatives that we have undertaken as a School since launching our Reconciliation Action Plan. Last year in the Weekend Australian magazine, one of our greatest living Australians, Noel Pearson, wrote of a layered Australian identity with three strands of an ‘epic’ story: “our ancient heritage, our British inheritance, and our multicultural triumph.” Noel Pearson wrote of a deep-seated yearning for reconciliation in the heart of our nation, an aspiration we share at Lindisfarne.
Our actions since launching our RAP recognise our commitment to educating our students about the rich history, traditions, and cultures of Australia’s First Nations peoples. Our RAP and subsequent actions are our promise to work diligently towards redressing past injustices, generational hurt, and suffering. Reconciliation is about acknowledging past wrongs and striving toward a future built on mutual respect, understanding, and equality. It involves honouring Australia’s First Nations peoples’ unique cultural identity, history, traditions, ongoing contributions to our society, and most importantly, their enduring connection to Country.
Our vision for Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School is to cultivate a community that nurtures culturally safe and inclusive relationships for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, and families. We are dedicated to nurturing understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures, histories, and traditions. We aim to create an environment where Indigenous students and young people feel valued and respected and their experiences and perspectives are heard and understood.
I pay tribute to The Reverend Constantine Osuchukwu, the RAP committee, and the staff, students, parents, and community members who have contributed to our progress to date. Our Unity Through Learning newsletter seeks to share this journey toward reconciliation with our school community. We have a unique opportunity to contribute to national healing and relationship-building between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. I invite you to walk this path with us as we strive to create an equitable, just, and inclusive community where we can learn together in mutual respect and understanding.
Stuart Marquardt Principal
Dear Students, Staff, Parents and Guardians,
It is my pleasure to introduce the first edition of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) newsletter, Unity Through Learning. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our First Nations Cultural Engagement Coordinator, Mrs. Katrina Singh, for gathering the stories and events that showcase our School’s unwavering commitment to reconciliation in Australia. Together, we strive to close the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
I also acknowledge the hard work of the RAP committee members, who have tirelessly implemented our commitments since the launch of our RAP document in May last year.
Special thanks go to Principal Stuart Marquardt and the Executive team for their ongoing leadership and support in fostering a school environment that is culturally safe and inclusive for all students.
As a school grounded in Christian and Anglican values, we answer Christ’s call to be agents of God’s reconciliation, mercy, and love.
We remain dedicated to educating our students to be ambassadors of reconciliation, taking pride in the three strands of Australia’s epic story: Indigenous heritage, British inheritance, and multicultural triumph, as so wisely expressed by Noel Pearson.
Please join us in celebrating our RAP achievements, and let us continue to walk and work together toward building a more reconciled, loving, and compassionate Australian society.
The Reverend Constantine Osuchukwu Chair, Reconciliation Action Plan Committee
The Unity Through Learning newsletter is dedicated to sharing the latest updates and events at Lindisfarne related to our First Nations community.
This newsletter highlights our RAP, acivities, initiatives, and programs that students, staff, and the broader communty within the School participate in that celebrate and explore First Nations Culture.
Join us as we celebrate our First Nations peoples and culture here at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School.
Our school’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) commenced in May 2023, marking the formation of our RAP committee and solidifying our commitments to closing the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Our vision statement for the RAP is:
“Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School strives to nurture a community that fosters culturally safe and inclusive relationships for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, and families. Through open, honest teachings and truth-tellings, we aim to respect and learn deeply from the enduring connection First Nations people have to Country.”
With our RAP document and the actions that will be implemented, we are dedicated to taking meaningful, sustainable, and strategic actions to advance reconciliation within our school and the broader community.
As part of our commitment to Reconciliation, our RAP document outlines the goals and outcomes we want to achieve within our school and community. In this newsletter, we hope to shine a light on the amazing activities and events that our school community is engaged in as we seek to build a more reconciled, united and loving Australian society.
Here at Lindisfarne we are honoured to host many community events, where we engaged in meaningful connections and conversations. As part of our RAP Action Plan, building relationships with local First Nations community members is a crucial step towards reconciliation. These community lunches and morning teas provide a valuable opportunity for staff and students to engage with First Nations elders and community members, enhancing cultural knowledge and creating a culturally safe school environment.
On Foundation Day in 2023, we had the pleasure of formally opening our outdoor Reconciliation Chapel. Local artist Narelle Urquhart painted the rock faces.
Narelle is a proud Wiradjuri woman from central New South Wales with connections to the Bundjalung Country of the Northern Rivers. Narelle has lived on the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers Region for 23 years.
The outdoor chapel tells the story of Reconciliation within our school and community. It speaks of the beauty held within Bundjalung Country and the story of reconciliation through Christ Jesus.
In May 2023, our staff and students had the privilege of volunteering at the Kinship Festival. It was an honour to serve our First Nations elders in the Elders’ Tent and to provide marquees for event activities and stallholders.
This experience was an incredible way for our School to connect with our First Nations community, demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and fostering strong relationships between our school and First Nations peoples. Our school has been involved with this festival for the past two years and will continue to do so into the future.
Reconciliation Week was celebrated at Lindisfarne during Week 6 of Term 2 with a series of engaging and meaningful activities. The week kicked off with a Junior and Middle School assembly, where a video was shown featuring students sharing their thoughts on reconciliation. Mrs Katrina Singh then spoke about the significance of reconciliation, followed by a cultural dance performance by the Gudjin Burra dancers, providing a captivating start to the week.
One highlight of the week was our ‘Reconciliation Walk’. Students proudly carried a ‘Reconciliation Banner’ they collaboratively created. This banner stood as a beautiful symbol of unity and collective effort.
Throughout the week, Katrina led Indigenous art workshops where students had the opportunity to create art and jewellery. They also contributed to the “Sea of Hearts” installation, which was set up on Friday.
The “Sea of Hearts” involved students from all year levels at Mahers Lane, creating a touching and significant end to the week. Students eagerly helped plant the hearts and took pride in finding their own contributions within the installation.
Overall, the week was a wonderful celebration of reconciliation, bringing together students and staff in a shared commitment to understanding and unity.
This year our school has been invited to join The Waratah Project. The Waratah Project aims to support participating schools in developing and implementing strategies that will improve the literacy, numeracy and other academic outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, including initiatives to support student wellbeing and strengthen relationships with families and communities.
This Waratah Outcomes Framework provides schools with a holistic approach to developing a culturally safe and inclusive schooling environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students by implementing support structures.
Kara Way is the Lead for the Waratah Project at Lindisfarne. She has worked in Indigenous Education her entire career. She is passionate about cultural diversity and embedding diverse and unique perspectives into education settings. Kara is proud to lead the Waratah Project initiatives at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School.
As part of Lindisfarne’s involvement in The Waratah Project, we hosted a professional development event at Southern Cross University; DIGi Ed Talks; Discovering Indigenous Greatness in Education. Keynote speakers Noel Perason, Josh Slabb and Teegan Wattam presented on their experiences in the education sector.
Artist activations for the event included the Gudjin Burra Dancers and local musician, Ash Mannix. The afternoon session included speakers from Pymble Ladies College, SCOTS College and St Ignatius Riverview - all from Sydney, and SCOTSPGC College, Warwick. These schools presented their practices and knowledge around best practice First Nations education.
Support provided to Lindisfarne by the Association of Independent Schools NSW (AISNSW) through the Waratah Project has allowed us to enrich our educational practices with First Nations perspectives, as well as deepening our engagement with the communities we serve.
Alongside DIGi Ed Talks, we took the opportunity to invite Mr Noel Pearson to speak at our Senior School assembly. Mr Pearson is a distinguished leader and advocate for Indigenous rights and education reform. His efforts have not only shaped policy but have also transformed lives across our nation. His presence at our assembly greatly enriched our school and community.
During the assembly, Mr Pearson addressed the students, discussing their roles as Australians in the journey towards reconciliation. Following his speech, Ms Judy McCue conducted an insightful interview, providing a deeper look into Noel’s life and work. After the assembly, our First Nations students and prefects were invited to have morning tea with him; this was an incredible opportunity for our students.
In alignment with our Reconciliation Action Plan and our commitment to creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment, Miss Narelle Urquhart has left her artistic mark throughout our school. Her stunning First Nations artworks, showcased as canvases, murals, and painted crosses, are prominently displayed across various locations, including offices and classrooms on both the Mahers Lane and Sunshine Ave campuses.
Having Narelle’s artwork throughout our schools is a true honour, bringing vibrancy and life to our surroundings. Through her exceptional gift of painting, she tells profound and meaningful stories that resonate deeply with both students and staff. These artworks are invaluable tools for educating and enriching our understanding of First Nations peoples and their rich cultural heritage.
This term, Mrs Katrina Singh launched the Culture Club, a Friday lunchtime activity where all students are invited to create art and jewellery. This initiative has provided a wonderful opportunity for students to connect and learn more about Aboriginal culture through art. This term, students collaborated with Mrs. Singh to create our Reconciliation banner, which was proudly displayed during our ‘Reconciliation Walk’ and at the ‘Sea of Hearts’.
The banner became a powerful symbol of reconciliation, resonating deeply with many students across the school as they proudly showed their friends the parts they painted.
In addition to the banner, students also made jewellery, with Mrs Singh teaching them various beading techniques. First Nations music was played during these sessions, showcasing First Nations talent and adding another layer of cultural appreciation.
Culture Club has been a beautiful way for Mrs Singh to connect with students, and it will continue to be a cherished activity throughout the year.
Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School celebrated NAIDOC Week with events highlighting First Nations heritage and contributions. This year’s theme, “Keep the Fire Burning, Blak, Loud and Proud,” emphasised the importance of cultural connection and reconciliation.
Middle School started early with an assembly featuring a NAIDOC address by Mrs Singh and a dance performance by Year 12 student Romme Williams, depicting the story of Wollumbin. Thomas Kelly led an interactive performance and dance workshops.
In the Junior School, students created a ‘Sea of Hands’ reflecting the theme, followed by a NAIDOC assembly and a performance by Birren, a Bundjalung artist. The Senior School’s assembly included a Welcome to Country by Uncle Victor, another address by Mrs Singh, and a panel interview with First Nations guests discussing the theme and their experiences.
Throughout the week, Mrs Singh conducted art workshops, and the festivities concluded with a rap workshop and group performance by local talents Dre Dub, JK-47, and Birren. The week was a vibrant and inclusive celebration, fostering cultural appreciation and learning.
Lindisfarne is proud to serve as the HUB school for The Waratah Project, connecting the five independent schools within Network 8. Our role as the central point of contact for Carinya Christian School Gunnedah, The Armidale School Armidale, Clarence Valley Anglican School Grafton and Maitland Christian School Maitland, fosters collaboration and shared learning experiences among these schools. At the end of Term Two, we hosted our first in-person HUB event, coinciding with DIGi Ed Talks. It featured an enriching On Country experience. Staff from across the network participated in a cultural cruise on the Tweed River, led by Uncle Frank Krasna and Jason King. This immersive experience began with a smoking ceremony and allowed participants to engage deeply with Bundjalung stories and language, forging a stronger connection to the land and its people.
In Term 3, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School welcomed three international student groups, providing them with a rich cultural immersion experience. A highlight of their visit was a lesson in First Nations culture, led by our First Nations Cultural Engagement Coordinator, Katrina Singh. Mrs Singh introduced the students to the art of mark making, a traditional practice, guiding them in creating their own mini canvas artworks. These personalised pieces not only allowed the students to engage with the cultural significance of the practice, it also provided them with a meaningful memento to take back to their country of origin.
Our deep commitment to the Waratah Project has given many Lindisfarne staff the opportunity to participate in On Country and professional development opportunities each term. These events have been key in meeting the outcome of building staff cultural capacity. Set in various regional and metropolitan locations, our teaching and non-teaching staff have been able to engage directly with the rich cultural heritage and knowledge of First Nations communities.
In term 1, staff travelled to Tranby in Sydney, a significant cultural hub where Indigenous people gather to share stories and gain skills through community programs and events. The experience at Tranby was profound, beginning with a smoking ceremony, followed by tasting native Australian foods, drinking the elixir of bush medicine, and listening to stories that have shaped some of Australia’s most significant First Nations moments.
In term 2, our journey took us to the stunning Wiradjuri country at Kinross Wolaroi in Orange. This visit provided a unique opportunity for staff to engage in traditional gender-specific practices, with women exploring sacred birthing caves and men visiting initiation sites. The group then came together to honour the memory of Yuranigh, an important figure in Australian tracking and exploration, by visiting his burial site. This site, surrounded by four Indigenous carved trees and marked by a European headstone, stands as a powerful symbol of early reconciliation. Through these immersive experiences, Lindisfarne staff are not only deepening their understanding of Indigenous cultures but also building strong connections to the Land and its stories.
During term 3, four First Nations students from our school participated in the ASC Indigenous Student Symposium at Saint John’s Anglican School in Brisbane. This significant event united Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, Elders, educational leaders, and community members in a powerful exchange of ideas and experiences.
The symposium featured four remarkable First Nations speakers, who shared their personal journeys as Indigenous students. They provided invaluable insights into thriving within the school system while staying true to their cultural identities. Among the speakers was local Bundjalung man Joshua Apanui, a lawyer formally admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2023. Another inspiring speaker was David Williams, a proud Wakka Wakka man and Executive Director of Gilimbaa. David is also a world-renowned didgeridoo player, performing at events such as the Beijing and Paris Olympics.
In addition to these thought-provoking speakers, the symposium hosted a Careers Expo, offering students and their families a glimpse into various career pathways and further education opportunities.
Our Lindisfarne students represented the school with great pride, engaging in important discussions about justice, diversity, and inclusivity.
Every fortnight, our First Nations students are invited to participate in our FNS (First Nations Student) Meetups. These gatherings have quickly become a vital space for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to come together, fostering a sense of community and belonging within the school.
During these meetups, students have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about a wide range of topics, including cultural practices, significant First Nations events, and the broader experiences of Indigenous peoples within our school environment.
The meetups also provide a platform for students to voice their ideas, share their stories, and discuss ways to enhance First Nations representation and inclusion throughout our school community. So far, these sessions have proven to be an enriching and supportive environment, helping to strengthen connections and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our First Nations students.
On Monday mornings, Mrs Singh visits the preschoolers, sharing the rich traditions and stories of her people. These sessions are more than just storytelling; they help the children understand Indigenous culture and the deep connection between people, animals, and the land.
Mrs Singh shares stories about animals, the land, and water, encouraging the children to spend time in nature and appreciate the world around them. Through her storytelling, she emphasises the responsibilities we all share in caring for the land and its creatures.
At the end of each session, children are invited to participate in hands-on art activities that align with the themes of the stories. These activities are carefully designed to let the children creatively express what they have learned, enriching their classroom experience. This approach not only makes learning more engaging but also seamlessly integrates Aboriginal knowledge and culture into their early education, making it both beautiful and meaningful.
A focus on Aboriginal history and culture is fundamental to the development of Australian identity. In the past, Lindisfarne has offered Aboriginal Studies as an external course to interested individual students. For the first time, 2024 saw the subject introduced as a Stage Six elective class, open to all students. The syllabus says that those who develop a heightened understanding and appreciation of the concepts of social justice and shared histories can critically examine their role as active and informed citizens. Compassion, wisdom and respect are the end result.
Our first project was the filming of what we thought was going to be a simple book review for presentation at assembly. The picture book Rabbits is a metaphor for colonisation and we had a lot of fun explaining it on film. It was more challenging than we thought it would be!
Our second project has been the recording of oral histories for our Bundjalung peoples. Lots of great stories and even more laughter was shared as we learnt about one another
Mrs Judy McCue
Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies Teacher.
Katrina Singh is our First Nations Cultural Engagement Officer at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School. A proud Wiradjuri woman, Katrina grew up on both Yugambeh and Bundjalung Country. Her deep connection to culture stems from her upbringing and the teachings of her mother, who shared their family’s stories and taught her the art of painting. Katrina is an Aboriginal artist with her own art business and hopes to bring her creativity and culture into her work.
Before joining Lindisfarne, she worked as a Youth Worker within school settings. She also worked with young people during her time at CYC Burleigh and grew her cultural knowledge working at Jellurgal Cultural Center. During her time at the Jellurgal, Katrina had the privilege of learning the local stories of the land, as well as gaining invaluable knowledge about bush food and traditional medicine.
Growing up in Tweed as a teenager, she further strengthened her connection by building relationships with local families, deepening her ties to the area and its community. These experiences have enriched her cultural knowledge and connection to Country.
In her role at Lindisfarne, Katrina aims to strengthen relationships between the school and the First Nations community. She is dedicated to educating staff and students about First Nations peoples, fostering a culturally safe and knowledgeable environment. Her passion also lies in empowering First Nations students, encouraging their engagement in studies and supporting them to
The Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee is a diverse group composed of staff, students, parents, and community members, all working together towards advancing reconciliation within our school. The committee plays a vital role in ensuring that our RAP is actively implemented, monitored, and continually improved. We collaborate to create meaningful opportunities that promote understanding, respect, and cultural safety for First Nations peoples within the school community. By engaging all stakeholders, we strive to foster stronger connections between First Nations and non-First Nations students and families, and ensure that cultural representation is embedded in our curriculum, events, and day-to-day practices. Through this shared commitment, we seek to continually refine and strengthen our RAP, addressing gaps and finding new ways to make Lindisfarne a place where reconciliation is lived and felt.
Uncle Victor Slokee (Elder TO)
Ps Adrian Itong (First Nation Pastor TO)
Principal Stuart Marquardt
The Reverend Constantine Osuchukwu
Katrina Singh
Caroline Jeffries
Kara Way
Iysha Blenkinsop
Rob Baggeley
Amber Phillips
Judy McCue
Tracy Foyster
Jo Hetherington
Gypsy Togo
Michelle Donohue
Tracy Foyster
Rory Togo
Matthew Schneider
Ashton Schneider
Theodore Houghton
Nate Blenkinsop
Scarlett Blenkinsop
