Principal Report
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope this newsletter finds you all well. In the last newsletter, I shared several Department and School Policies. Some of them we share at the beginning of every year, and some we share as they arise during the school year.
One area I touched on was how our school supports inclusion, and how we support the respect for diversity through our policies, processess, and education programs.
We are very lucky that most of our students behave perfectly most of the time. Sometimes students can have an off moment or make a decision that is a genuine mistake. We then take steps in school and with families to address this. I understand that children make mistakes, and as educators or families, we are there to help them make better choices in the future through educating and supporting them.
Watching the news, following sports, and listening to current affairs, you can't help but feel that casual racism and division are on the rise across the World. I can see how this could be confusing for our children. In school, we have noticed the casual use of the "N-word". This is not acceptable and must stop.
As a school, we need to stand together against Racism.
In every strong community, respect is the foundation. Our schools, workplaces, sporting clubs, and neighbourhoods thrive when people feel safe, valued, and included. That’s why it’s important to have an honest conversation about racism — including the harmful impact of racial slurs.
While some may argue that words are “just words,” history tells us otherwise. The N-word carries a painful legacy tied to slavery, segregation, violence, and generations of discrimination. For many people, hearing it is not simply uncomfortable — it is deeply hurtful and a reminder of injustice that still affects lives today.
In recent years, conversations about language have become more visible, especially among young people. Sometimes the word appears in music or online spaces, leading to confusion about whether it is acceptable to use. However, context matters. Within some communities, individuals may choose to reclaim language among themselves. But outside of that context, especially when used casually or jokingly, the word reinforces division and disrespect.
As a community, we share a responsibility to choose words that build each other up rather than tear each other down. This starts with education. Parents, teachers, and community leaders can help young people understand why certain words are harmful and why empathy matters. Listening to the voices of those who have experienced racism firsthand is also an important step toward understanding.
Rejecting racist language does not mean restricting conversation — it means raising the standard of how we speak to one another. It means recognising that freedom of speech comes with responsibility. When we choose not to use harmful language, we demonstrate maturity, awareness, and care for our neighbours.
Creating an inclusive community is an ongoing effort. It involves calling out racism when we see it, supporting those who are affected by it, and modelling respectful behaviour in our daily interactions. Even small choices — correcting a joke, speaking up when something feels wrong, or simply choosing kinder words — can make a meaningful difference.
Our community is strongest when everyone belongs. By committing to respect and rejecting racist language, we take another step toward a future built on unity.
So, what now?
Last week, the grade 56 and grade 34 teachers spoke to the students about not using the racial slurs at school. We have shared why this is wrong in a child appropriate way.
I have faith in our students to hear that using words that discriminate is not okay and to make the right choices in the future. As parents, we would love you to support these tricky conversations at home. This will help our community is align together to not accept any racial slurs in our everyday vocabulary.
If this word is used in the future to discriminate against other students, there will be consequences applied that will be aligned with our Student Wellbeing and Engagement policy. July2024-2026_Student-Wellbeing-and-Engagement-Policy.pdf
I have chosen not to have a conversation with Prep to Grade 2 students, as I am holding on to the hope that they are not being exposed to discriminatory words at that age through TV, music or social me.
Thanks,
Craig