On Wednesday, each child placed a hand to create our St Bede’s Sea of Hands display as a way to participate in and show our growing knowledge of the importance of Reconciliation Week. The sea of hands looks amazing – and is a powerful symbol of solidarity. What does solidarity mean? Well, Solidarity is one of Catholic Social Teachings and helps us all to remember that ALL people are part of one big human family. Because of this, we should all do what we can to make life better for EVERYONE. Sometimes this is hard, or we feel like we can’t possibly make any difference and children often feel this way. Through the Social Justice teaching of solidarity, we can make decisions and think of actions that we can do to make a difference.

So, the Sea of Hands has been a symbol of Solidarity for around 25 years with First Nations Peoples. The first installation was in 1997 in solidarity for Native Title and was installed on the lawns of Parliament House. Today, it has become a symbol of RECONCILATION, RIGHTS and RESPECT.

Haley Stonham

Curriculum Coordinator

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Contact

haley.stonham@cg.catholic.edu.au