CEO's Update

Celebrating 10 Years of MITS

It was a joy to celebrate 10 Years of MITS last Friday with major supporters, our Leadership Team and Board, and our Year 12 students and their families.  We welcomed over 230 people to Biderap, which had been transformed into a forest for the evening – bringing Country indoors – for exceptional food, music from the brilliant Emma Donovan, and moving words from School Captain Lailani Bransden, alum Kenita Bush and Kendyn Brown, and family members Nathan Lovett-Murray, Chris Smith and Amanda Johnston.

The evening was a celebration of the 268 students who have come to MITS over the past 10 years.  A celebration of their families, and their communities – across the Top End of the NT and Regional Victoria.  A celebration of the educators who came before MITS – in classrooms and on country – and a celebration of all that these young people have already contributed, and will contribute, to those around them after MITS.

We looked back on the last 10 years through film, including through a short film entitled The First 10 Years of MITS (Retrospective), narrated by MITS father and Gunditjmara man Joey Chatfield-Berg.  You can watch that short film here.

So many people contributed to the evening, and we are grateful to all: Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr, Megzy Waters, singer Emma Donovan, and generous supporters from the Kennards Hire Foundation, AG Coombs Group, Kane Constructions, the MCC Foundation, food&desire, Fancy Films, The Thrills, Vinomofo, Encore, Harry the Hirer, Greenevent and Alchemy Orange Florists.

Here’s to the next 10 Years!

Woven Strong – Our 2027 Strategy

At our 10 Year Celebration we launched Woven Strong, our 2027 MITS Strategy.  Woven Strong is a continuation of the narrative that binds us all in the vibrant weaving that is MITS, and sets new horizons for MITS and for how we can best support our students.

Over the next five years, our strategy will guide us in three focus areas:

• Gathering the Strands, in Year 7 and 8; 
• Finding the Pattern, from Years 9 to 12; and
• Woven with Purpose, as our alumni step into the Big Dance of life

Importantly, the strategy commits us to growing MITS by up to 50%, so that we can meet more of the demand for positions that we currently experience.  By way of example, for our Year 7 Class of 2027, we have received 108 applications for just 22 positions – five applications for every one available position, with 43% of these applications are from current families.

In Semester Two we will detail the actions and initiatives that we will pursue under each focus area, along with the enablers that will empower MITS and our students to thrive into the future.

You can read more about our new strategy here.

Semester Two MITS Leadership

In Semester Two, my wife Rhi, our daughters Betty and Mabel, and I will take six months’ long service leave in France.

I’m delighted to share that, during this time, Lia Bartholomew will be Acting CEO of MITS, and Johnny Short will be Acting Deputy CEO.

It is energising to know that MITS, and our students, will continue to benefit from Lia and Johnny’s leadership in Semester Two.  They live our MITS values, they are deeply committed to our students, families, staff and organisation, and they have the energy, expertise and vision to continue to grow MITS as a leader in away-from-home schooling for young First Nations people.  I am excited to return to MITS in January 2027.

As you will read in this newsletter, it has been another inspiring, busy and growth-filled term at MITS. To our students, we with you a very happy and restful time at home, on Country.  To our families, relish the time with your young people, and thank you for your continuing support of MITS.