From the Deputy Principal

Reconciliation Week

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.  This year, Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June and we will start our week on Monday with a Secondary School assembly recognising Reconciliation Week. You are very welcome to join us in the Gym at 10.15am.

The Reconciliation Week website says: 'All In' makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.

The theme also reminds us that reconciliation and advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights isn’t a passive activity, and it is not solely the responsibility of First Nations people, who have carried the weight of championing, explaining and acting for far too long.

Reconciliation will not happen by itself, and it will not happen without all of us.

This week we have been inspired by Indigenous Science Week, a fabulous celebration of learning coordinated by Mrs Fiona Gouldthorp who invited members of our Menang community to join us, including Aunty Vern and Larry Blight, alongside Lewis Ward and Jess Woods.  We have also had guest speakers and presenters (including our own staff who have generously contributed their expertise) and a Science Challenge for the Primary School. Students made damper, visited the Fish Traps, learned about cross-cultural science and more!  It has been exciting to see such engaging opportunities for our students.

Learning Environments Australasia

Last week I was fortunate to attend the Learning Environments Australasia conference entitled Unleash, in Perth.  Along with 450 other delegates from industries as diverse as architecture, design, building and education, I visited schools to look at inspiring learning spaces and the Zoo to hear from experts in how we can utilise outdoor spaces for learning. I was transfixed by a keynote from Homa Tavangar,  CEO and co-founder of the Big Questions Institute who explored the idea that to create healthy social systems (that which is observable and tangible), we must nurture our social soil (those interactions and actions which build relationships and awareness. Homa posed some questions for schools to consider and these were some of my favourites:

What is sacred?

Are we connected?

What is success?

and, most importantly, what is learning?

Looking for great answers is one thing, but starting with great questions is key!

Mrs Emma Franklin | Deputy Principal - Head of Teaching and Learning