Our First African Parent Forum

On Wednesday 16th, Truganina College hosted and celebrated our very first African Parent Forum. Key messages from the afternoon focused on the importance of education, visibility, and partnerships within our College and throughout our wider community.

I want to take a moment to extend my gratitude to all for being part of our first-ever African Parents Forum at Truganina College.

This was more than an event, it was a celebration of community, connection, and hope. From the Welcome to Country and the powerful words from our College Principal, students and staff to the personal stories, music, and shared laughter – we witnessed what happens when people come together for a purpose greater than themselves. 

We were so fortunate to hear from some very special guest speakers, Salim Mohamed, Laden Ahmed, Nhial Deng, Mabior Ater Morwell, Robiel Abraham, and Honasi Eangano Singehebhuye Your presence, your voices, and your willingness to share made the forum a resounding success. Our families felt seen. Our students felt inspired. Our school community felt united in a way that will continue to ripple long after the day has passed. 

The biggest winners from our event were not any one of us but rather, our school community and our students’ future. When families, educators, and community leaders stand together, we create pathways of opportunity and belonging that last a lifetime. 

To bring us to a close, our enthusiastic students showcased their dance moves - even one of our past students, Alpheline jumped up and joined her sister up on stage to share a special moment. Shortly after, we all had the opportunity to get together for a great feast on the College green, putting a lovely end to an impactful afternoon.

The theme of “It takes a village to raise a child — we are that village” was echoed throughout this event in both words and activities. The first forum stood as a powerful reminder that sharing our stories builds empathy and connection essential to our work together.

Thank you to all of our students, families, staff and guests for lending your time, your expertise, and your heart to this moment. It was an honour to walk alongside you in bringing this vision to life. 

Let’s continue building on this foundation, strengthening relationships, creating space for every story, and empowering our young people to dream boldly. 

Jacob Bul Dhieu

African/School Community Liaison Officer