Reconciliation Action Plan
A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a formal commitment to reconciliation. It documents how our school, The Gap State High School, will strengthen relationships, respect and opportunities in the classroom, around the school and with the community. Our Reconciliation journey has been based on the Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education framework.
We are committed to reconciliation. We also believe in Learners Who Flourish and we value Thinking Big, Stepping Up, Paying it Forward and Being Kind. Through our values and relationship with our school community, we strive to provide a culturally safe learning environment to ensure that every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student is succeeding. We aim to continue to build meaningful connections with our First Nations families and community to continue to foster a sense of pride in our students, their culture and leadership within our school and community. We envisage a learning environment that embraces diversity where we will deeply listen, acknowledge and embrace First Nations perspectives and voices. We understand that the path to reconciliation is crucial, takes time, and requires support from both our school and the wider community. The Gap State High School is proud to commence our reconciliation journey through our Reconciliation Action Plan.
Our Reconcilation Action Plan will be added here in Term 1, 2026.
"Our Story, Our Place"
The Gap State High School Community Artwork
In 2025, The Gap State High School commissioned artist Nathaniel Chapman, a Goenpul/Yuggera man from Mijerribah - Quandamooka Country (North Stradbroke Island) and Meanjin - Yagera Country (Brisbane City) to create a communty artwork piece.
The artwork represents the spirit of The Gap State High School - our connection to Country, community and one another. Central to the design are the yarning circles, symbolising our school as a place of gathering, learning and belonging. Pathways flowing between them represent the journeys of our students, staff and families, all interconnected, walking together with purpose and respect.
Importantly, this piece was created with the voices of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in collaboration with artist Nathaniel Chapman. Students shared stories of their identity, culture, values and connection to The Gap. Their ideas shaped the symbols, animals, colours and narrative elements within the artwork. This collaboration ensured the final piece is not just an artwork, but a shared story- one that honours student perspectives, lived experiences and cultural knowledge.
The eight house mascots, each inspired by an Australian leader whose legacy reflects the character strengths we value, are woven throughout the design:
- Tasmanian Devil (Blackburn) – curiosity and love of learning
- Emu (Cowan) – perspective and social intelligence
- Kookaburra (Mabo) – bravery and fairness
- Kangaroo (Goolagong) – perseverance and hope
- Koala (Hollows) – kindness and love
- Crocodile (Irwin) – zest and gratitude
- Cockatoo (Freeman) – leadership and humility
- Platypus (Paterson) – creativity and appreciation of beauty and excellence
Local plants and animals honour The Gap's natural environment and pay respect to the Turrbal and Yuggera Peoples, the Traditional Custodians of this land. The flowing water and natural patterns that symbolise Enoggera Creek reflect the movement of learning and wellbeing through our community, while the handprints remind us that every person leaves their mark on our shared story.
Together, these symbols embody our values of Thinking Big, Stepping Up, Paying it Forward and Being Kind, and our shared purpose to nurture Learners Who Flourish.
About the artist
Nathaniel Chapman is a proud Goenpul/Yuggera man from Minjerribah- Quandamooka Country (North Stradbroke Island) and Meanjin- Yagera Country (Brisbane City), with ancestral ties to the Wambia Tribe in the Northern Territory and Waka Waka People west of the Sunshine Coast. From a young age, Nathaniel has journeyed across the globe, showcasing his rich cultural heritage through the arts of song and dance. Known by his skin name, 'BILLEN,' which translates to Parrot, he embodies the vibrant and dynamic energy of his people. Today, he channels this energy into his artwork, continuing to express and preserve his culture with every stroke.
The arwtork is proudly displayed in the school Administration (A) Block above the stairwell.