From the Chaplain
October 19, 2026 – Edition 13
What’s it like to be on the RAP Committee?
Reconciliation Role Enables Meaningful Action
Before concluding her time as our 2026 Social Justice Captain, Sehaj wrote this reflection about an important part of her role – being a student representative (along with 2026 School Captains Sienna and Ryan) on our Reconciliation Action Plan Committee.
As I finish my time as Social Justice Captain, one of the experiences I am most grateful for has been involvement in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Meeting on Mondays or Thursdays twice each term may have seemed like a small commitment, but I have seen how these regular conversations and actions can make a meaningful difference within our school community.
One of the biggest things I have learnt is that reconciliation is not only about the big days or major events. It is also about the small things we do throughout the year, taking the time to learn, listen, have conversations, recognise First Nations voices and think about how we can make our school a more respectful and inclusive place.
My favourite experience was our tree planting ceremony. To me, the tree symbolised how the actions we take today can continue to make a difference in the future. It was a reminder that reconciliation is not just about what we do now, but about what we leave behind for future students.
Being part of the RAP has also given me the opportunity to learn so much that I did not know before. Every meeting and discussion has helped me better understand First Nations histories, cultures and experiences, while also showing me that everyone has a role to play in reconciliation.
Most importantly, being involved in the RAP has made me feel like I am genuinely contributing to something bigger than myself. Even when an action feels small, being part of a group that is consistently working towards positive change reminds me that meaningful progress is built through the efforts of many people.
As we finish the year, I am proud of what we have been able to contribute and grateful for everything the RAP has taught me. I hope that our school continues to recognise that reconciliation is not something we do once or twice a year, but something we build through the small choices, conversations and actions we make every day.
We welcome any parents, carers or Senior School students who wish to join the committee. Please contact me if you are interested.
Celebrating Diversity in Booth and Leaver Houses
We started the term by uniting our Senior School as part of the Booth and Leaver House Chapel with the theme ‘Celebrating Diversity’. It was lovely to see the way both houses explored this theme in such a meaningful way.
Highlights included having students and staff come forward with items that represented diversity, the creation of two large hearts including photos students supplied that represented their identity and demonstrated their divserity, reflections by our House Captains, and hearing from Ekam, Umaima, Jovana and Amelia about their faith traditions and practices.
We also enjoyed the powerful performance by Hiya (Year 8) of her song, accompanied by Mr Shane Evans (Booth Mentor), Flynn, Zac and Karthik.
Such a Chapel service is the culmination of a lot of work by many people but special thanks to the Heads of House, Mr Michael Vandenberg and Ms Alison Blanchard for their part in making it all possible. We are so grateful to all the students who stepped up to participate in a wide range of roles, as well as Mr Shane Evans for his time and commitment to getting the musical item ready.
A Verse from Corinthians
The Bible verse we shared was from Corinthians 12: 15-22
“Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”
It’s a powerful metaphor and a reminder that our differences are what is needed to make a vibrant community. We each have important gifts to share, we each have things to offer and contribute and we should not be threatened by people who are different to us.
When we truly celebrate diversity, we are all the stronger for it.
Every blessing in the week ahead
