Term 2 | The Way Newsletter | Friday 29 May 2026

National Reconciliation Week and Respect

This week is National Reconciliation Week. Held annually from 27 May to 3 June, National Reconciliation Week is a dedicated time for all Australians to learn about and celebrate the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia and foster reconciliation discussion and activities.

At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous people, for the benefit of all Australians, regardless of cultural background.

Today at Junior School Muster and Senior School Assembly, I took the opportunity to read a picture book written by an Aboriginal author. The book brought to light some of the challenges and injustice associated with Australia’s shared history and highlighted the opportunity for all Australians to work together towards a future where reconciliation is a lived reality for all.

Essentially, reconciliation is about looking back to understand, be informed and appreciate, so that we can look forward together with respect for others, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In speaking with the students, I reflected on the fact that reconciliation is a Biblical idea. The Bible tells us that God reconciled us to himself or made it possible for things to be made right between us through Jesus’ death on the cross. The Bible also encourages us to seek reconciliation where it is needed.

This year, the theme of Reconciliation Week is two very powerful words: "All In". Reconciliation is not a spectator sport. This means that we can’t just sit on the sidelines and watch others do the right thing – we all have to step onto the field and join the team. This connects perfectly to one of our Positive Learning Behaviours: Respect.

Being "All In" means our respect has to be active. Respect isn't just sitting quietly; it’s about making sure everyone is included, listening to people's stories, and making sure nobody is left sitting on the sidelines alone.

Reconciliation isn’t about guilt. What has happened in the past has happened. Our role is not to look back but to look forward, to get off the sidelines and to respect everyone regardless of their cultural background.

As I reflected with the students about culture and respecting others, it is worth considering the ripple effect our actions and words can have. When we choose to be "All In" with our respect, our kind actions ripple outward. It starts with each student and a friend, but it spreads to the whole classroom, and then the whole College.

To help us to be ‘All In’ on reconciliation, it is helpful to talk more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to learn about their culture, their knowledge, their ways of being. This helps us to appreciate and celebrate their culture. This will be something that the students will have the opportunity to do as we head towards Unite Week at the end of this term where we celebrate our cultures as well as the oldest living culture in the world, that of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Have you heard the phrase in loco parentis? It’s a Latin term used for teachers, meaning “in the place of a parent.” In Spanish, though, it almost sounds like “parents are crazy!” I remember when I first learned that phrase - it has stayed with me ever since.

I work hard at being a father, but I often feel like I get it wrong. Sometimes I’m too hard, sometimes too soft, and sometimes I say the right thing at exactly the wrong time. I love my children deeply, but parenting can often feel like an uphill battle.

When my son was a teenager, he started attending the church down the road after they appointed a new youth leader. He absolutely loved him and thought he was the best. I remember him coming home one day, excitedly telling me what he had learned. He spoke about how wise Eliseo, his youth leader, was and shared everything he had said.

I found myself feeling frustrated. I had been saying many of those same things for years, and they seemed to fall on deaf ears! As a father, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why is he listening to him and not me, especially when he doesn’t even have kids?

I didn’t take it out on my son, but I did vent to my wife. She gently reminded me, “Isn’t it wonderful that there are other godly people speaking into our son’s life?”

Grumbling a little, I had to admit she was right. Parenting is a partnership, even with people who are not parents themselves.

You also know we did everything for you that parents would do for their own children. We begged, encouraged, and urged each of you to live in a way that would honour God. He is the one who chose you to share in his own kingdom and glory. 
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

The apostle Paul “parented” adults as he taught the faith. Not in a condescending way, but with genuine, familial concern. He longed for the people in his care to become those who honour God with their lives.

I’m really looking forward to the remaining Parent Teacher Night. I can’t wait to meet the parents of the students I teach, and to share both the wins and the challenges together as a team.

What a gift it is that our students are surrounded by adults, both at home and at school, who are working together, with that same hope: that they would grow into people who honour God with their lives.

Cafe MRK is open to parents every Friday morning for breakfast with your children before College!

It's also a great way for you to meet other parents, particularly after the bell.

It opens at 7.30am until 10.00am Friday at MRK (Canteen).

We look forward to seeing you there.

Last week, Year 2 had the privilege of becoming the first Junior School students to take part in an Art excursion, visiting the Gabrugal Yana trail in Western Sydney Parklands.

Sketchbooks in hand, students spent the morning drawing the art trees located at the beginning and end of the trail. Gabrugal Yana shares the stories of the six Dharug seasons through the works of First Nations artists, providing a meaningful opportunity for students to connect with Dharug culture and Country.

Students sketched the Dagara tree, recognised by its crescent-shaped dendroglyphs and bronze symbols representing the black cockatoo, a sign of the cold season. Everyone was surprised to discover that this remarkable art installation is located just 1300 metres from the College.

The excursion then continued to the Cecil Hills entrance of the Parklands, where students observed the Dugara Guwara tree. Its scaled patterns symbolise the diamond python and represent the very cold and windy season.

Throughout the excursion, students enjoyed being immersed in nature while developing their observational drawing skills. The experience also deepened their understanding and appreciation of what is widely recognised as the oldest and longest continuous tradition of art-making in the world.

Mrs Ann McDermott
Junior School Specialist Teacher (Visual Arts)

Learning languages is a powerful way to build confidence in students. As students learn to communicate in another language, they develop the courage to speak, make mistakes and try again. Each new word or phrase they master gives them a sense of achievement and encourages them to participate more actively in class and social situations. Over time, students become more willing to express their ideas and interact with others, both in their first language and the new language they are learning.

In Year 2, we have been working on the Interacting outcome, where students have participated in a range of activities involving role playing, conversations and turn-taking games. These activities encourage students to communicate with their peers in a supportive environment and help them practise speaking and listening skills in meaningful ways. Through role playing and group interactions, students learn to express themselves more confidently, take risks with language and become comfortable speaking in front of others. This ongoing practise helps build self-esteem, social skills and confidence both inside and outside the classroom.

Language learning also helps students become more independent and resilient. They learn problem-solving skills by working out meanings, practising pronunciation and understanding different cultures. This process teaches perseverance and shows students that improvement comes through effort and practise. As their communication skills grow, so does their self-esteem, helping them feel more confident in school and everyday life.

Mrs Viviana Morris
Junior School Teacher (Languages)