Chief Executive Officer's Welcome

This week at MITS we’re so excited to be joining with our Partner Schools in celebrating National Reconciliation Week.  On Monday afternoon, our Year 7 and 8 students hosted a very special afternoon tea, with our Yidaki Boys starting the session with an impressive demonstration of their ever-growing skills.  During the afternoon tea, our students spoke about why reconciliation was important to them, and paired with staff to articulate and share how they could “Be a Voice for Generations”. 

Many students shared knowledge that they have gained through Intercultural Studies with Teacher Jayden (a Wonnarua man) about strong, inspiring voices from generations past – such as Sir Doug Nicholls, William Barak and Eddie Mabo.  And, it was moving to hear how our students feel even more proud to be Aboriginal through MITS, and to hear how they use their voices to celebrate their cultures, stand up for their people and speak out against racism and discrimination. 

I was also struck by the number of students who spoke in the session – and who have spoken with me and other staff in the days after – about their support for a Voice to Parliament.  As we continue to focus at MITS on yarning and education around the Voice (you can access a great, non-partisan website with information on the Voice here) – through the conversations our young people are having, it is clear that there is very strong support for the Voice proposal from many of our MITS students. 

To mark National Reconciliation Week, our supporters at Fancy Films have made a wonderful one-minute video highlighting how our students are rising to the challenges to be Voices for Generations.  We hope you enjoy it! 

In this week’s newsletter you will get a snapshot of the vibrant celebrations our students have been participating in and leading: from Dreamtime at the ‘G, to Partner School celebrations, to Sir Doug Nicholls Round at the Richmond Junior Football Club, it is a very special time across MITS. 

Lastly, we are busily preparing for the opening of our new Senior Boarding House at 371 Church Street.  The project has been a little delayed due to Melbourne’s wet autumn, and will open at the start of Term 3.  We have also made a change to the use of the house: our senior girls will move into the house when it opens, and our senior fellas will continue to live at 364 Church Street. 

This National Reconciliation Week, let’s join our students in being Voices for Generations – we can all play our part!

Edward Tudor

Chief Executive Officer