Redfern Jarjum College, a Jesuit primary school for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, was officially opened on April 13, with a number of dignitaries giving the school and its students their blessing.
New South Wales Governor Professor Marie Bashir, Patron of Redfern Jarjum College, and Peter Garrett MP, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth were at the opening, along with Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, and Fr Steve Curtin SJ, Provincial of the Australian Province of the Society of Jesus.
The school is located in Redfern on the land of the traditional owners, Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, and was made possible by the willingness of the aboriginal people of Redfern to partner with the Jesuits to bring Redfern Jarjum College to reality.
Importantly, the College is housed on the old Catholic Presbytery site which for many years was a welcome home to numerous Aboriginal people.
“The school seeks to share with students and their families the opportunities and ideals of Christian values within both the Ignatian and Aboriginal spiritual traditions,” said Fr Peter Hosking SJ, Rector of St Aloysius’ College.
‘We Jesuits, and our friends, have much to learn in this small but significant initiative. It does build on the Jesuits’ international experience with indigenous peoples as well as our Province’s involvement with Aboriginal people in Australia in the late 19th Century and over the last 40 years.
‘This is one aspect of our commitment to the First Peoples of this land and of our hope to work with the wide range of people of the Redfern community in this new effort and to learn with them.”
The school offers an alternative learning centre to support children’s transition into further education. An Aboriginal Advisory Group will bring recommendations to the Jarjum Council and to the Principal to ensure the cultural heritage is fostered for children, families, staff and the community.
Jarjum could finally open and begin operations thanks to the quiet background work of countless people, notably of Ailsa Gillett of St Aloysius College who has worked quietly and persistently to accompany aboriginal children in the Redfern area for many years.
Generous support from a range of donors also made the school possible. These supporters include the Archdiocese of Sydney, the NSW and Australian Governments and the Catholic Block Grant Authority.
Source: Province Express
