National Reconciliation Week: All In

National Reconciliation Week 2026 at MLC School began with a powerful Assembly that set the tone for the week. Marayah-Kai Johnson Clayton (Year 11) shared her family’s story, speaking of her connection to Aunty Fay Clayton, a proud Wiradjuri woman and Elder. Marayah reflected on the ongoing impact of the Stolen Generations, reminding us that this history is not confined to the past, but continues to shape the lives of families and communities today. Her words invited our students to consider how this legacy is carried through generations, and how it calls each of us to respond with understanding, respect and action.

Throughout the week, students engaged in a range of meaningful learning experiences centred on this year’s theme, All In. This theme calls on all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation, making clear that it is not a spectator activity but one that requires ongoing commitment and action from everyone.

Our Senior students in Year 11 and Year 12 explored the confronting history of the Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Home through a powerful video resource. These sessions were thoughtfully led by students from the Year 11 and Year 12 Aboriginal Studies classes, who guided their peers through the learning and reflection. Students examined the lived experiences of the boys who were removed from their families and the enduring impact of these policies. They also reflected on what it means to learn this history within our own community, recognising that we have descendants of Kinchela survivors among us. This prompted deep reflection, empathy, and a clearer understanding of the importance of truth-telling and shared responsibility.

Year 8 students had the privilege of hearing from Brooke Prentis, an Aboriginal Christian leader, who shared her perspective on how Christianity is expressed and lived by Aboriginal people. Her insights encouraged students to see faith through a culturally rich and personal lens, highlighting the interconnectedness of spirituality, culture and identity.

Students in Year 9 and Year 10 participated in Luminary activities focused on the theme of All In. Through discussion and collaborative tasks, students reflected on their own role in advancing reconciliation, considering how everyday choices and actions can contribute to meaningful change. These experiences encouraged students to move beyond awareness and towards active participation.

Across the week, our community engaged with the understanding that reconciliation will not happen by itself, nor can it rest solely with First Nations peoples, who have carried this work for far too long. National Reconciliation Week served as a reminder that meaningful change requires all of us to step forward – to listen, to learn, and to be All In.

– Tim Lennon
Director of Indigenous Education