This week, I had the privilege of attending the Yadha Muru Foundation’s Inaugural Symposium in Darwin as part of the City-Country Partnerships initiative, alongside Paul Shanahan (HOLA Science) and Amy McGuire (Aboriginal Liaison Officer). This symposium brought together 17 schools from across Australia involved in the City-Country Partnerships, uniting us around shared learning and strategic efforts to elevate educational outcomes for First Nations students in our remote schools.

Our experience at the symposium reinforced the importance of “walking slowly and listening closely” as we build meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with our partner schools. Gaining a genuine understanding of each community’s unique contexts and needs allows us to connect and collaborate in ways that foster growth and support. Prioritising patience and attentive listening enables us to create authentic partnerships that lay a foundation for shared success and mutual growth.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the CEWA symposium team and all participating schools, including colleagues from St Mary’s College, Broome; Sacred Heart College, Beagle Bay; Sacred Heart College, Highgate; and Kolbe Catholic College. Their contributions showcased the incredible work underway within each partnership.

Together, we engaged in valuable reflection on our progress so far and explored promising pathways for future development. This reflective approach is essential, helping us understand both where we are and where we aim to go as we shape our collective goals.

As we look to the future, I’m eager to reconnect with our partner schools in the coming weeks to continue planning for 2025. For Chisholm Catholic College, this marks the start of a deeply inspiring journey filled with learning, collaboration and growth.

Mrs Belinda Pietropaolo
Deputy Principal – Administration