Boarding House News
Poorneet - Year 7's
This year we celebrate 10 years of growth and a shared journey at Melbourne Indigenous Transition School. Poorneet warmly welcomes our new families joining us this year. We look forward to walking alongside you as we build memories grounded in connection, respect and collective strength.
Our Year 7 students have arrived with such zest and energy - a beautiful reminder of youth as they step into a new chapter. Their excitement reflects the big learning adventure ahead, and we are honoured to support them as they grow in confidence and belonging.
A special part of our 10-year celebration was gathering at Tuerong. The birthday celebration was more than games and cake - it was about creating tradition and nurturing community. For many of our young people, who come from diverse backgrounds, this style of celebration was new. Watching them play pass the parcel, laugh together and embrace simple moments of joy was powerful. It reminds us that we rise together.
The day reflected MITS 10 years - caring for one another - and the joy that comes from shared experience. As we honour the past decade, we look forward with hope. Our path remains strong, to create a place where every young person feels seen, valued and uplifted.
By Trish Apiti
Buarth Gurru - Year 8 Fellas
This year we celebrate the reopening of 139 Buarth Gurru, our Year 8 fellas house. The opening of this house reminds us of times passed and looking forward. It has created a nurturing home where our young fellas are continuing to grow in strength and independence.
Buarth Gurru is more than a physical space, it is a place of belonging. With increased indoor space, our fellas now have room for quiet and private moments - time to learn, reflect and reset — while still remaining connected to their brothers within the house. This balance supports their wellbeing, allowing them to stand strong as individuals while staying grounded in collective care.
We warmly welcome our families and acknowledge your supports and the strength you all offer as we work together as a team take uplifts these fellas and reminds them that they are supported by strong families and community as they continue to grow.
Buarth Gurru becomes a stepping stone - a place where resilience, responsibility and cultural pride are nurtured daily. Here, our fellas are learning to lead themselves and uplift one another as they prepare for transition into partner schools later in the year.
We are proud of the growth we are witnessing. We are all in this journey together.
By Trish Apiti
Garrawang – Senior Fellas
It’s been a vibrant and energetic start to the term at MITS, with the fellas settling back in with confidence, positivity, and strong routines. A standout early highlight was our trip to ACMI, where students explored interactive exhibits, experienced retro and modern gaming, and learned about the creative worlds behind film, television, and digital storytelling. The hands-on experience sparked plenty of curiosity and conversation.
As basketball season winds down, the fellas have embraced a wide range of activities to stay active and connected. Recent afternoons and weekends have included mini golf, dance sessions in the city, trips to St Kilda Beach, art sessions, competitive games of Jenga, and, of course, shooting hoops and kicking the footy. It’s been fantastic to see everyone trying new things and making the most of their time together.
At De La Salle College, our boys showed excellent spirit during Athletics Day, giving their best in events like high jump, hurdles, and shot put.
This term has also been especially meaningful as we celebrate 10 years of MITS, marked by a memorable community day at Tuerong Farm hosted by Rick and Liz.
We’d also like to acknowledge our senior fellas across the boarding program, including those at St Leonard’s College, Brighton Grammar School, Parade College, and St Kevin’s College. Their leadership, maturity, and positive example continue to set a strong tone for our Year 9s.
By Tom Conron
Biderap - Senior Girls
Term 1 at the Biderap Boarding House has begun with an energetic and joyful start welcoming 40 students within the first few weeks. It has been heart‑warming to see the girls settling in so beautifully—reconnecting with old friends, forming new bonds across all year levels, and creating a strong sense of community from day one.
Already, the boarding house has enjoyed several exciting in‑house activities. One highlight was our Galentine’s Night, where the girls celebrated friendship and self‑love. They wrote thoughtful appreciation letters to friends and staff and had the chance to make their own lip gloss, body mist, and other fun self‑care items. The night was filled with laughter, creativity, and meaningful moments of connection.
Another Highlight was the Tuerong Family BBQ Farm day, which saw the Biderap girls swing into their leadership positions and run the face painting for all the girls and activities too. It was great to see everyone participate and see staff come and join in with their families too.
There has also been a wonderful increase in engagement with the broader boarding program, now incorporating all MITS activities. Many of our girls have been enthusiastically participating in the MITS basketball clinic on Thursdays and touch rugby on Mondays, taking the opportunity to stay active, learn new skills, and connect with students from other schools. Weekend outings have been equally memorable, with trips to the Berwick Show and the St Kilda First Peoples First Day event, where the girls enjoyed incredible live performances from artists like Barkaa and Jessica Mauboy.
As we look ahead, we are excited to continue building on this positive momentum. With upcoming events such as the Red Hill Show, Tuerong boarding camp, and International Women’s Day celebrations, we hope to keep the good vibes strong and maintain excellent school and boarding attendance throughout the remainder of the term.
Term 1 is off to a wonderful start—and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings for our vibrant boarding community.
By Rebecca Romero