Art and Storytelling as a Pathway to Reconciliation

Media Release –  4 November

Photo Opportunity – Newtown Public School Monday 10.00am

VIP’s  -  Ms Jenny Leong MP Member for Newtown, Uncle Jimmy Smith, Kerry Johnson, Cecilia Anthony Co-Chair Reconciliation NSW.

Change doesn’t have to take a lifetime/Kids just get it.

Understanding reconciliation and making a difference can take place over the course of two hours.

A new program developed by Reconciliation NSW and funded by the City of Sydney’s cultural and creative grants and sponsorship program has delivered memorable results in three local City of Sydney Schools.

Fort St, Bourke St and Newtown Public Schools welcomed the Pathways to Reconciliation program and were excited to see instant results in their students. 

Teachers have commented on a sense of pride in their student’s newfound knowledge of Country that is being shared with other students around the schools.

Abbey Proud Principal of Newtown Public School called the program “Practice changing”, and Freya a year 5 student at the school enthused, "Pathways has been a great opportunity to connect with and appreciate the land we stand on. Creating an artwork was a fun way to show our understanding of Country and reconciliation and not just talk about it. We've used the knowledge from Uncle Jimmy and Kerry to pass on to other people so they can share it and then those people can share it. So the knowledge goes on and on forever."

Five students from the Pathways program have gone on to become finalists in the Caring for Country - Schools Reconciliation Challenge this year with their moving and insightful poetry and art entries.

These entries were created in only one class session after spending time learning and sharing with Uncle Jimmy Smith and Aboriginal dance/cultural educators Kerry Johnson and her daughter Maci Johnson, proof that reconciliation in education touches students’ hearts and minds. The public exhibitions of these students’ Pathways to Reconciliation can be viewed by the whole school and local communities on the schools outward facing fences on Bourke St,

Surrey Hills, Norfolk St, Newtown and Wattle St, Ultimo from November 9, throughout NAIDOC week and beyond.  Come and see the artworks and writing of these students whom judges celebrated as providing hope that our next generation will be a kinder, more knowledgeable and understanding generation when it comes to reconciliation and celebrating First Nations people throughout Australia.

Reconciliation NSW

For more information go to http://www.reconcilitionnsw.org.au

Media contacts:         
Rec NSW Thea Butler – 0450 188 554 – thea.butler@reconciliationnsw.org.au