The creative and innovative work done by teachers and students in advancing reconciliation in schools and early learning services will be celebrated again this year.
The judging panel of the Narragunnawali Awards 2021 – Geraldine Atkinson, Sharon Davis and Professor Peter Buckskin – have decided the finalists for the 2021 awards.
Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine said the judges were impressed by the strong leadership, passion and commitment to reconciliation that was evident across the applications.
"They looked for the ways in which the school or early learning service strengthen relationships, build respect, and provide meaningful opportunities in the classroom, and with the community.
"The panel were also pleased to see that even with the challenges posed by COVID-19, schools and early learning services ensured that reconciliation remained a priority in 2020."
The Award's finalists are drawn from early learning, primary, and secondary (or combined) institutions across the government, Catholic and independent sectors. They span NSW, Tasmania, WA, Victoria and South Australia.
There were three rounds of assessment to reach the finalists' announcement.
The judging panel will visit each of the six finalists during August and September 2021. Due to COVID-19 lock downs and border closures, the visits will be a combination of virtual and in-person.
Narragunnawali Awards 2021 finalists
Early Learning category:
· Balnarring Pre-School, Balnarring, VIC
· St Peter's Girls Early Learners Centre, Adelaide, SA
· Tumut Community Preschool, Tumut, NSW
Schools category:
· Briar Road Public School, Airds, NSW
· Mosman Park Primary School, Perth, WA
· St Virgil's College, Hobart, TAS
The awards ceremony will take place as part of the Australian Reconciliation Convention at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on 15-16 November.
Held every two years since 2017, the Narragunnawali Awards 2021 are the third awards to celebrate exceptional commitments to reconciliation in education.
Reconciliation Australia's Narragunnawali program supports all schools and early learning services in Australia to foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions.
