We offer a range of culturally responsive programs and services designed to support the wellbeing, cultural identity, and community connections of First Nations students. This includes meaningful cultural engagement, mentoring opportunities, and strong partnerships with local community Elders. Through these initiatives, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of First Nations cultures and promote reconciliation, respect and inclusion throughout our College.
How We Support First Nations Students at St Thomas More College
- Individualised wellbeing and academic support tailored to each student
- Cultural mentoring and guidance to strengthen identity and connection
- Community and family events, along with cultural programming
- Access to the QATSIF Scholarship, including career development opportunities
- Ongoing support from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officer, including attendance at family meetings when requested or needed
- Whole-school participation in Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, offering valuable learning experiences for all students
- Strong partnerships with Cherbourg and Waiben (Thursday Island) to enrich cultural understanding and community connection
St Thomas More College Acknowledgment of Country
In keeping with the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands where St Thomas More College now stands, the Jagera and Turrbal peoples and recognise that these Lands have always been places of teaching and learning.
We pay our respects to Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the St Thomas More College community.
St Thomas More College Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Vision
Our College's vision for reconciliation is founded on the principle of respect and acknowledgement for Australia's First Nations people through a Catholic charism. We are committed to respectfully acknowledging, and supporting the continuation of, the traditions of teaching and learning that have been passed on over time from the earliest of people on this sacred land. Our community, staff, students, and parents will respectfully engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, languages and histories through ongoing and ever-present actions that enhance our understanding and respect of the important place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have and continue to play in our community. By developing this understanding while maintaining the Catholic traditions, we acknowledge the gift of all people, all cultures, and the unique place each has within our college.
Our Commitment
We are always seeking ways to improve and strengthen the program to ensure it remains meaningful and responsive to the needs of our First Nations students and their families. We strive to create an environment where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families feel genuinely welcomed, respected, and valued.
As part of this commitment, we continue our journey of reconciliation through the implementation and active development of our College's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This plan guides our efforts to foster respect, build relationships, and create meaningful opportunities with and for First Nations peoples.
Partnerships
Cherbourg Truth Telling Partnership
Year 12 students have the unique opportunity to engage with the Indigenous community of Cherbourg through meaningful, immersive experiences. As part of this program, students are guided by Indigenous elders on a tour of the sacred Bunya Mountains and visit The Ration Shed Museum, which provides a deeper understanding of the area's history. Additionally, students design and lead activities with the students of St Joseph's Primary School in Murgon, fostering a special connection with this fellow Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) school. This interaction serves as a reminder that the BCE mission extends beyond Brisbane's geographical boundaries, emphasising the importance of solidarity and outreach.
The experience also includes small group reflection sessions, allowing students to reflect on their experience. These sessions, held in the form of yarning circles, encourage introspection and journaling, deepening the students' spiritual dimension. Pre-immersion formation further prepares them for the journey. Key elements of the experience include learning about Cherbourg's history as a mission town, where slavery was a harsh reality through the issuing of rations instead of payment for labour, and the government's enforcement of obedience. By building connections with Cherbourg's Elders, parish members, and the local community, students form positive, lasting relationships. They also gain a broader awareness of First Nations spirituality, history, and culture, fostering empathy and understanding through truth-telling and cultural exchange.
© BCE/St Thomas More College/2025.