National Reconciliation Week at MLC School
Held annually from May 27 to June 3, MLC School commemorated National Reconciliation Week (NRW), a significant event for all Australians, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The colonial history of Australia is marked by devastating land dispossession, violence, and racism. NRW is a crucial time to learn about our shared history, culture, and achievements.
The theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, emphasises that the reconciliation process is ongoing and that efforts to end discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must continue. This theme resonates deeply, especially following the 2023 referendum where the majority of the population voted ‘no’ to the Voice, leaving many in the community feeling devastated.
Reconciliation aims to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians for a better future. It is a continuous journey that acknowledges the hard work of past generations and the need for ongoing, and even greater, efforts for future gains.
Senior School Activities
- Information about NRW was displayed on Vivi screens.
- Luminary groups discussed the impact of the failed referendum on reconciliation.
- A commitment wall was created, featuring individual pledges to reconciliation. These commitments included:
- Truly listening to the acknowledgment of country to recognise the ongoing connection Indigenous peoples have with the land.
- Being aware of personal prejudices and biases.
- Engaging with music, art, and literature created by Indigenous people.
- Learning about Australia’s history and supporting Indigenous efforts in local communities.
Junior School Activities
- Held a NRW Assembly where students learned about the history of NRW and this year’s theme.
- As part of their commitment to reconciliation, they learned about the history of the Wangal people and some Dharug words to honour their culture.
- The Junior School choir performed a song called ‘Reconciliation Now’. This song was written by Yorta Yorta woman Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, in collaboration with First Nations children in Bunurong Country in Victoria.
Staff Professional Learning Session
- Focused on MLC School’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Actions and how they can be embedded in the work of various faculties and areas of the school.
- The session also covered the School’s journey along the AITSL Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness Continuum, identifying areas for development to ensure culturally responsive behaviours and attitudes that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by this complex issue, but each of us has the power and responsibility to contribute. Reconciliation is an ongoing journey, not a destination, and everyone has a role to play in making a positive difference.
This year also marks the 10-year anniversary of the unveiling of our school plaques. On 27 May 2014, during National Reconciliation Week, the MLC School community first formally acknowledged the Wangal people, as the Traditional Owners of the land on which the School is built, with a ceremony and the dedication of a plaque.
The plaque depicts footprints and circles to represent the journey of education. The footprints are that of two learners walking side by side on their learning path. One set of footprints is Gawalgalyung, the elder sister, and the other is of Narangalyung, the younger sister. The word Dyalgala is on the plaque, and it means ‘embrace’; Gawalgalyung and Narangalyung embrace their culture and their education.
The circles represent a meeting place for learning, like our school. The centre circle symbolises the individual. The next four circles represent our learning in the Early Years, Junior Years, Middle Years and Senior Years. The final circle represents the endless possibilities beyond our school years.
There are two of these plaques; one in the Junior School and one in Senior School. They were placed to honour the culture and traditions of the Wangal People and are a tangible symbol of the ongoing commitment of MLC School to recognise and integrate Aboriginal cultures and histories into our learning programs.
– Tim Lennon (Director of Indigenous Education)
– Divya (Year 12) Diversity Captain 2024
Click on image gallery for full size images.
Congratulations to the MLC School community for the enthusiastic support of our inaugural Colour Run. All funds that were raised will go towards MLC School’s first Sony Foundation Camp. At the Camp, Year 11 students will offer around the clock care for children with complex needs, providing them with an amazing experience at the same time as offering respite for their full-time carers.
