From the Deputy Principal

 Reconciliation Week and                                              Being Part of Our Community

“Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of us all as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples,” Reconciliation Australia.

With all that is going on in the world at the moment, now more than ever we need to be united in actioning Reconciliation. This week our students have engaged in activities and conversations highlighting the importance of Reconciliation. Andrew Walker said in our School's Acknowledgement of Country video (see MAG Acknowledgement of Country RW 2020), Reconciliation Week is about educating ourselves about Australia’s First People and creating strong bonds between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Well done to Archie and Charlie Connors for being the presenters for our schools Acknowledgement of Country for Reconciliation Week 2020. You both did your people proud. Archie and Charlie's ancestors are members of the Kamilaroi peoples which is one of the largest nations in Australia. A recent documentary titled The Kamilaroi was released in April this year and is well worth watching. 

It has been magnificent having students back in the buildings and on the grounds of our school. To wander around the school during recess and lunchtime and hear the animated conversations, laughter and games being played reminds me of how grateful I am to be part of the Moama Anglican Grammar community - it was just not the same when the school was empty of our students. Although some great learning happened while students were doing Quality Distance Learning (QDL), the education that our students receive when they are on site at Moama Anglican Grammar is what we want our students to experience more of, not less. Teachers have enjoyed being able to again give the valuable face to face support and academic feedback that is best practice to help students learn and grow. It would be remiss of me not to give all the parents and guardians a big shout out for all your support of both our school and your children as supporters, supervisors and facilitators of your child’s QDL at home. You did a wonderful job and your support and patience was very much appreciated.

Thank you to all the families who have completed the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) Perspectives Feedback Survey in regard to our school. For those who have not yet completed it, you now have until Monday June 8; we are keen to get as much feedback as possible so have organised surveys to remain open for an additional week. Once we get all the feedback collated by the AIS Perspectives team, we will then work with them to analyse and action the collated feedback. Your input will be valuable in contributing to our Strategic Plan in moving forward.

One of the significant benefits of our return to school is that we are back to being part of a community. There is much research into the benefits of this and I collated some of the key phrases and words in the research that highlight the benefits that are not as easy to attain in isolation: encouragement, support, being challenged, celebration, gratitude, knowledge, connection, inspiration, motivation, opportunities, fun, resources, helping others feel good, advice and shared experiences. For these and other reasons, being part of a community improves the lives of others and therefore individuals. 

We recently celebrated National Volunteer Week, which highlights the benefits of community, and I will take the opportunity to mention that our Moama Anglican Grammar AFL Sports Ready Trainee, Mia Oberin, received the Campaspe Shire Young Person Volunteer Award for her work as a member of the Council’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG). Well done Mia! Many of our Moama Anglican Grammar staff and students are involved in community projects, here at School and in the wider community, as mentioned in our last Newsletter.

I am very proud to be a part of the Moama Anglican Grammar community. As part of this community, we can collectively support and promote significant events such as Reconciliation Week that make our community one that is not just supportive of each other within our School, but supports the wider community as well.

Kathleen Kemp

Deputy Principal