National Reconciliation Week

At the start of National Reconciliation Week (NRW), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students had the special opportunity to travel into the city to attend Illume, a powerful dance performance by Bangarra Dance Theatre. The audience was comprised of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, making it a unique experience for both the students and dancers. The performance showcased contemporary Indigenous storytelling through movement, music, and effects, blending traditional dance with modern dance. Illume is based around light, a powerful source of energy and meaning that helped convey special ideas about identity, connection, and loss. The performance was followed by a Q&A session with the dancers and creators of the show, where we were allowed to ask questions about the show and its creation. It was not only a visually stunning experience but also a deeply meaningful one, celebrating the rich heritage and ongoing stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

At assemblies last week, the Year 11 Aboriginal Studies class presented to the Senior School, and the Diversity Captain Anita Mohanan (Year 12) presented to the Junior School about Sorry Day and NRW. The theme for NRW 2025 is Bridging Now to Next. It encourages Australians to learn from the past and move forward together. Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttshaw is the artist behind the design of the NRW Poster. The leaf artwork celebrates Australian native plants, which are known for regenerating after fire and thriving through adversity, symbolizing our collective strength and the possibilities of renewal.

During Luminary time on Monday, each Luminary reflected on Australia’s reconciliation journey and discussed the points “What are we doing now to support reconciliation?” and “What are we doing next to support reconciliation?”. Then, each student was given a NRW leaf to write down their commitment to reconciliation. These leaves were collected to create an installation on the ground floor of the Senior Centre.

At MLC School, we value reconciliation. We seek to repair and build relationships by working with First Nations people and educating our school community about Australia’s history. To read our Reconciliation Action Plan go here.

– Eve Parker and Abby Coxsedge on behalf of Year 11 Aboriginal Studies class

Click on gallery to view full images