Chaplains Corner
Celebrating Community, Story and BelongingLast Saturday evening, the Sydney Hilton Hotel came alive with joy and gratitude as MLC School celebrated an extraordinary milestone – 140 years of excellence in girls’ education.
The 140 Year Anniversary Gala Dinner brought together Old Girls, current families, staff and friends of the School for an evening of connection, celebration and shared pride in MLC School’s legacy.
- Warm reconnecting and storytelling across generations.
- A shared sense of pride in MLC School’s legacy.
- Laughter, music and dancing late into the evening.
- A spirit of gratitude for the bold vision that began in 1886.
More than a celebration of history, the evening honoured the countless lives shaped by MLC School and the young women who continue to carry that story forward with faith, courage, learning and belonging.
This week we also mark Refugee Week (from Sunday 14 – Saturday 20 June), a national time to recognise the courage, resilience and contributions of people who have sought safety and a new beginning in Australia. The 2026 theme, ‘A Million Stories’, invites us to honour the many journeys that shape our nation.
There is a meaningful connection between these two moments. At the Gala Dinner we celebrated 140 years of stories – of courage, friendship, and transformation. During Refugee Week, we are reminded that every story matters, and that every journey carry dignity, hope and the power to shape community.
During Refugee Week, we are invited to recognise that each story matters…. that every journey, no matter how complex or uncertain, carries dignity, hope and the potential to shape community.
Together, these moments remind us that:
- Community is built through stories shared across generations
- Belonging is nurtured when we welcome one another with openness and compassion
- Our strength as a school—and as a society—lies in embracing diversity and honouring each person’s journey
As a school grounded in the values of Respect, Compassion, Growth and Courage, we are called not only to celebrate our own story, but also to listen deeply to the stories of others—especially those who have experienced displacement, loss and new beginnings.
May we carry forward the warmth and gratitude of last Saturday evening into the way we live, listen and care for one another this week and beyond…. and continue to build a community where every person feels seen, valued and at home.
Senior Chaplain