Reconciliation Action Plan
Press release
Byron Community Primary School’s Reconciliation Action Plan: Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future
Byron Community Primary School (BCPS) is proud to announce the launch of its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), a powerful commitment to fostering a future of respect, equity and cultural understanding. The school’s RAP outlines its vision for a caring, respectful and connected future, guided by the knowledge and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
As part of its RAP, BCPS has committed to actively acknowledging and addressing Australia’s true histories, including the impacts of colonisation. The school aims to dismantle barriers and create culturally safe spaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through Truth-Telling and education, BCPS seeks to confront unconscious bias, racism and discrimination while recognising the resilience and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Ella Noah Bancroft, CEO of The Returning Indigenous Corporation, who has consulted on the school’s RAP, shares, “We all have a valuable opportunity to step back and reconsider the beliefs and systems that have shaped us and influenced our thinking. Prioritising Indigenous leadership, knowledge systems, and lore is one of the most important things we can do in this current time for the next generations and ensuring our actions and choices are steps towards collective liberation, connection and care.”
In alignment with this, BCPS is dedicated to engaging in meaningful relationships and deepening its commitment to reconciliation. “Walking side-by-side with the local Arakwal Bumberlin and Bundjalung Nation Elders and community members, we are committed to building meaningful and respectful relationships,” said Tony Cross, Principal of Byron Community Primary School. “We are dedicated to learning from and caring for Bundjalung Country, while embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into our curriculum and everyday practices.”
BCPS is focused on incorporating the voices, cultures and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into the educational experience of all students. The school encourages children to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, histories and cultural teachings, nurturing curiosity, creativity and respect.
“The vision for reconciliation at BCPS is about more than just acknowledgement – it’s about action, understanding and growth,” said Tony Cross. “We want to empower our students to be informed, compassionate and creative, honouring the innovative spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in all that we do.”
The RAP sets out specific actions to ensure that BCPS students not only learn about the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities but also develop a deeper respect for the Land and Sea Country that sustains our community. Through this ongoing commitment, BCPS hopes to contribute to a future where all people stand together with respect for each other’s cultures and histories.
Byron Community Primary School invites the wider community to join in this journey of reconciliation, as the school continues to provide opportunities for learning, growth and connection to the shared land and cultures of Australia’s First Nations peoples.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan is available for download below.