The St. Augustine School community came together in a powerful act of remembrance and reflection through the Every Child Matters Garden Project. Each student had the opportunity to plant a tulip bulb in the front gardens of the school, transforming the space into a living tribute of hope and healing.
A Promise of Belonging
Before planting, every class gathered to reflect and recite the school’s promise poem:
Every Child Matters
Every child deserves love
Every child deserves to be safe
Every Child deserves to belong
We will remember
We will listen
We will walk together in friendship
These words set the tone for the project, reminding students and staff that reconciliation is not simply about acknowledging history—it is about making ongoing choices rooted in love, safety, belonging, and wellness for all.
Connecting to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The tulip planting was connected to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a time for Canadians to honour the survivors of residential schools, remember those who never returned home, and recognize the lasting impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous families and communities. By engaging in this project, students learned that reconciliation is not a one-day event. It is a responsibility we carry forward together, woven into everyday actions and choices.
Visible Signs of Commitment
Alongside the tulip bulbs, Every Child Matters posters were placed across the school’s front lawn. These visible reminders, paired with the promise poem, symbolize the school community’s commitment to walking the path of reconciliation in friendship and respect.
Looking Ahead
In the months ahead, the garden will bloom into a sea of tulips, serving as a living reminder that Every Child Matters—yesterday, today, and always.
This initiative reflects the OCSB’s broader commitment to reconciliation and learning with our Indigenous partners. Across the Board, schools continue to engage in projects, ceremonies, and conversations that honour survivors, amplify Indigenous voices, and ensure that the truth of our shared history is never forgotten. Together, we are planting seeds of hope, understanding, and healing for generations to come.
