From the Deputy Principal – The Importance of Connection

It is important to remember the role that connection plays in building a strong school community. Connection is vital for fostering a positive learning environment, where students feel supported, encouraged, and motivated to learn. Earlier this term, I had the privilege of attending our first Senior School Family House Chapel Services for Whitley and Wade. I was taken with the beauty of this tradition, hoping that each student and their families felt connected to the rich MLC School history, fostering a sense of continuity, and belonging.

The Whitley House service theme Unity is strength, emphasised the importance of working together and being united to achieve our common goals. Whitley students asked us to consider that when we work together and collaborate, we can accomplish more than they would be able to achieve on our own. Year 12 students were presented with a candle to celebrate their time as Whitley students and to recognise their leadership. Thank you to the generosity of Whitley families whose offerings during the service will support Uniting, who seek to improve the lives of the elderly through fostering social connections.

The Wade House service on Female Empowerment focused on enabling women to have control over their own lives and be able to make decisions that affect them. Each Year 12 student tied a ribbon to the Wade House tree to signify their belonging and connection to Wade House. Thank you to the generosity of Wade families whose offerings will be used to support Dress for Success, an organisation that works with women to find employment opportunities, allowing them to gain qualifications and experience to ensure their financial independence.

Between services, Wade and Whitley families joined together in Potts Hall for morning tea. The act of sharing a meal with others was not just about enjoying delicious treats, but also an opportunity for people to connect, bond, and build relationships. Traditions like these House Chapel Family Services are a way of passing down important values and teachings from generation to generation, including our moral values, religious beliefs, and cultural practices that help us to understand our place in the world and how we should interact with others.

As a School community, we are committed to fostering connections between students, teachers, and families. We thank the students, parents, grandparents and siblings (and even a Whitley pet) who joined us and encourage everyone to continue to take an active role in building and strengthening our school community through participation in our events, volunteering, and engaging with one another in meaningful ways.

– Melissa Boyd
Deputy Principal

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