"We are in this together"! What a timely theme to focus on for Reconciliation Week. With everything that is happening around us in this world, the hurt and brokenness that many people and cultures are experiencing, and with the current uncertainty of COVID-19, it is incredibly important that we come together and connect with one another to face these times together.

We all have a role to play in reconciliation and championing respect and a sense of belonging. I am not sure about you, but belonging to a community or being a part of a team, brings so much joy and a certain richness to our lives. Sharing a common goal or direction, sharing experiences together and understanding what one another may be going through, are all aspects that I value when belonging to a team. "We are in this together".

Last year, I had the privilege of taking some leave and travelling overseas for 7 weeks. This was an adventure full of many highlights and experiences that I will hold onto and treasure for the rest of my life. Part of this adventure involved a week long hiking tour through beautiful Croatia. I love being outdoors, I love exercise, I love exploring new places and I love being surrounded by like-minded people. Our hiking team of 10 (nine amazing humans from Britain…and me the token Aussie) experienced so much together during that week, hiking around 18km each day in the heat and humidity and through a variety of terrains. We shared a lot of laughter, and even some tears, and each day we shared experiences that built on the sense of belonging that we all felt. At the end of the week, it was incredibly hard to part ways, it was like we were farewelling close family. One of the team commented that this was the first time in a very long time that he felt as though he belonged and was so appreciative of the team that encouraged and supported him throughout the week. Love, belonging, understanding and connectedness can make a world of difference. "We are in this together".

Research professor, Brené Brown, shares the following about belonging: "A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick." As I am currently enjoying some of Brené's books, this quote has both challenged and encouraged me and definitely highlighted the need for community. When we belong and go through experiences together, we share the joys and the challenges. We lift one another up when we fall. We rally around and support those in our team and our community. I have witnessed this deep sense of love and belonging in our school community, amongst our students, our staff and our families. "We are in this together".

There has been a buzz around the school with conversations and activities around Reconciliation Week and what it means to be in this together. I thought I would share a few wise words from some of our treasured team…

Tanveer (age 11) - We should help each other and lift each other up and cooperate in teams. Without a community, everyone would be doing their own thing and not really listen to one another. Reconciliation is when we respect and treat one another equally and fairly. If I could share one message to the world about how we should treat one another it would be just as God says, "Love one another as I have loved you."

Mehar (age 5) - You are supposed to take care of one another. When someone falls down you should help them up and take them to a teacher. To be in a team you should help others. If we didn’t have any communities, there wouldn’t be people to help or play with. I think reconciliation means you help others and care and respect for your elders. I would tell the world to "Respect elders and help them and show kindness and love to EVERYONE".

Emma (age 8) - Reconciliation means working together as a team and not leaving anybody out. Even if people look different or mean, they might actually be nice. I would tell the world "We should be nice to everyone".

Felix (age 6) - I think reconciliation means we are in this together. If we didn't have communities or teams, the world wouldn't be friends and everybody would be hating each other. If I could tell the world one message I would say "To be nice to everyone because we should respect each other".

Sophia (age 5) - You have to be nice to each other and to be in a team is to work together. The world wouldn't be very nice without communities. I think reconciliation means being kind. I would tell everyone in the world "You should be kind to people like God is".

Kitty (age 8) - I think reconciliation means not abandoning anyone. I would love to tell everyone on in the world to treat people nicely and don't judge people by how they look.

Sammy (age 11) - It is very important to treat everyone equally. I value being in a team and how we consider others. I don’t think the world would be right without communities to belong to - it would be all over the place. I believe reconciliation means recognising other people for what they have done and caring for others. If I could share one message to the entire world, it would be the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you".

What wise thoughts from some of our students in our community. Our school, and the next generation will be in safe hands. As we focus on Reconciliation Week here at school, I would like to encourage you to reflect upon ways that you and your family can champion respect and a sense of love and belonging as you build your community around you. Have a wonderful week and always remember, "We are in this together".

Blessings,

Tamara