Budjari Gamarruwa

‘Good Day’ in the language of the Gadigal and Wangal Peoples of the Eora Nation.

At Christian Brothers’ Lewisham, we acknowledge the Gadigal and Wangal Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our school stands. We pay our deepest respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our community.

As a school founded on the principles of Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community, Justice, and Solidarity, we are committed to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are woven into the fabric of our school life. A key part of this commitment is our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which is built on the three pillars of Relationships, Respect, and Opportunities. These principles guide our approach to fostering strong connections, deepening cultural understanding, and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to engage meaningfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and contributions both inside the classroom and within the broader community.

For over a decade, our flagship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program has been a driving force in creating an inclusive and culturally enriching educational experience. Since its inception, the program has been led by Mrs Marea Soulos, whose dedication has been instrumental in shaping its success. Over the past five years, Mr Blake Griffith, a proud Kunjen and Yorta Yorta man, CBHS Old Boy, and Aboriginal Education Worker, has continued to build on this strong foundation, ensuring the program continues to thrive and evolve, responding to the needs of the community. 

Through a range of initiatives and experiences, the program empowers students to:

• Connect to Country through cultural immersion experiences and engagement with Elders and Knowledge Holders.
• Celebrate Culture by participating in significant events such as NAIDOC Week, National Reconciliation Week, and Sorry Day, as well as performing traditional dances, contributing to school liturgies, and delivering Acknowledgements of Country.
• Build a strong sense of identity and belonging, with mentoring and leadership opportunities that encourage students to take pride in who they are and where they come from and develop their leadership potential. 
• Access academic, cultural, and career opportunities, with strong links to university pathways, industry connections, and support programs such as the NRL School to Work initiative.

Beyond supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, our program is also dedicated to educating the wider school community. By embedding cultural learning into our curriculum and providing opportunities for all students to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ perspectives, we aim to foster respectful relationships, cultural awareness, and a deep understanding of Australia’s shared history.

Through this program, we hope to not only empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students but also contribute to reconciliation, breaking down barriers of inequality and cultural separation. Our goal is to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and walk together in a spirit of understanding, respect, and unity.

CBHS Indigenous Jersey

This jersey artwork is an original design by Sydney artist Tylah Mundine. It was commissioned in 2023 as part of the school’s ongoing commitment to Reconciliation. 

The ‘blocks/bricks’ at the base represent the invaluable foundational work of young students starting their journey at CBHS. The tilted cross acts as a centerpiece with the beaming lines, demonstrating the influence of the Catholic tradition upon students, teachers, and staff. 

The EREA Touchstones are weaved through the cross, acting as intersecting teachings that guide the word and actions of students, teachers, and staff. The Touchstones are all connected through the yellow ‘river’, displaying the interconnectedness and powerful impact of these teachings. 

The layers of lines and dots surrounding the Touchstone connecting the flowing ‘river’ represent the support of teachers, parents and staff, showing their responsibility to both champion and implement the teachings of the Catholic Tradition and Touchstones. 

The circular elements located at the top of the artwork represent the year groups of boys completing their HSC and graduating. The lines protruding from these groups represent individual students flourishing in all directions and avenues of life after they complete their schooling beyond our gates. 

Red Dirt Immersion

The Red Dirt Immersion is a transformative cultural, spiritual, and educational journey open to Aboriginal Studies students and staff, spanning 1,600 km across central and northern NSW. 

Over seven days, students from CBHS Lewisham and St Pius X College Chatswood travel from Sydney through Coonabarabran, the Warrumbungle National Park, Brewarrina, Bourke, and Dubbo, engaging with local schools, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, and significant cultural sites such as the Brewarrina Fish Traps and Gundabooka National Park. Rooted in the charism of Edmund Rice, this experience fosters deep connections, mutual learning, and a commitment to Reconciliation. As part of their Aboriginal Studies coursework, Year 11 students apply research skills through ethical fieldwork and community consultation, gaining invaluable insights that extend beyond the classroom.​​