Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School

Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School is committed to providing learning opportunities that promote respect for diversity and in doing so, we strive to understand, respect and acknowledge First Nations peoples, histories and cultures.  Achieving our vision for reconciliation requires courage, generosity, integrity and truth-telling, as we commit ourselves to acknowledging the wrongs of the past and our responsibility to take actions in the present that promote togetherness and mutual respect, in order to achieve a just and fair future for all.  Looking ahead, our school aspires to deepen our commitment by establishing a dedicated Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) that includes ongoing consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and  stakeholders and tangible goals for creating a culturally inclusive environment. We aim to create spaces—both physical, such as dedicated gardens with native flora that symbolize Wurundjeri Country, and intellectual, through learning programs—that honor and reflect the Wurundjeri people's connection to Merri Creek and Steele Creek.  By developing long-term partnerships with local  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, incorporating First Nations people leadership into decision-making processes, and facilitating cultural immersion experiences for staff and students, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School seeks to become a model of reconciliation in action.  Through these efforts, we aim to inspire future generations to carry forward the spirit of reconciliation, ensuring the Wurundjeri people’s legacy and wisdom remain integral to our shared identity. Through education, we aim to provide students with a profound understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  histories and cultures, empowering them to become advocates for reconciliation.