From the Head of Senior School

This week, we celebrated Harmony Week in the Senior School. Harmony Week will be celebrated throughout Australia from next week, but being the pioneering school that we are, we have decided to celebrate early this week as our Year 12 students will be sitting their examinations next week.

Harmony Week is a special time dedicated to celebrating our diverse community and fostering inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. You can find more information here: Harmony Week. Throughout this week, our School hosted a variety of activities aimed at bringing students together and highlighting the importance of cultural harmony. Highlights include Monday’s Luminary session featuring discussions on cultural inclusiveness and creative art-making, Harmony Week Chapel services on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday’s cultural dances, games and mufti day. All week long, students have enjoyed international music and special cafe offerings with food from around the world, plus participate in the ‘What does Harmony Day mean to you’ interactive whiteboard activity.

This week I accompanied Year 11 students, Stephanie Keo and Jocelyn Su to the 2026 Youth Advisory Board for Strathfield run by Jason Yat Sen-Li, our State Member for Strathfield. Click here for Stephanie and Jocelyn’s story. Our students joined representatives from all over the electorate to discuss issues facing our students today. On the way back to school, the girls mentioned religious inclusivity was a major topic. They noted that, unlike other schools, MLC School’s Uniting Church is very inclusive, so they didn’t relate to some of the issues discussed. This certainly made me proud!

Chapel this week was the highlight. Our Chapel service for senior students was led by Senior Chaplain Rev Vinnie, Chapel Captain and Year 12 student Ella Hu, Community and Round Square Captain and Year 12 student Emily Wu, Diversity Captain and Year 12 student Rhiti Bhatta, Environment Captain and Year 12 student Eri Takeshita and Wellbeing Captain and Year 12 student Laila Chopra. Our Music Captain and Year 12 student, Juah Hyun led a trio on strings to accompany the School for our hymns.

I was particularly moved to lead prayer for Harmony Week and Year 12. This prayer was written by Rev Vinnie and I have included the text here:

‘Prayer for Others, Ourselves and the World                              

As we celebrate Harmony Week, we thank you O Lord for the rich diversity that surrounds us and for the chance to learn from one another. Remind us that everyone belongs, and help us to embrace each person with open hearts and minds, regardless of background, culture, or faith. Guide us to walk together in respect and understanding, so our communities become stronger and more united.

May kindness, compassion, and acceptance fill our days, and may we always strive to make everyone feel valued and included. Inspire us to be peacemakers and bridge builders, so that together we create a world where harmony truly reigns and everyone belongs.

We now uplift our Year 12 to you Lord… As their exams approach, we ask for guidance, strength, and peace in their hearts. May they find focus in their studies, patience under pressure, and courage to face each challenge. Grant them clear minds to remember, … and give them resilience to rise above setbacks and gratitude for the journey so far.

Bless all Year 12 students with hope and confidence as they embark on this special time of exams in the next two weeks! This we ask in your name. Amen.’

Lastly, a huge congratulations to Year 7 and Year 9 for the resilient way that they approached the state-wide issues with NAPLAN this week. A special thank you to Elizabeth Gilberthorpe, Acting Director of Studies – Year 7 to Year 9 for the way that she has kept us all smiling and informed!

Staff News

This week we are very pleased to welcome back Erika Pieri, Teacher – Languages and Society and Culture Teacher, after some essential family leave in Italy. We know she is very pleased to be back with her Italian, French and Society and Culture classes and we thank those staff who assisted with the classes to start the term, allowing for a seamless transition.

Study Hub Next Week

– Joanna Graffen
Head of Senior School