Reconciliation at Haileybury Rendall School
As a School community we are very proud of the way that we promote all aspects of national reconciliation through Haileybury Rendall School.
Our guiding framework is our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which we introduced in 2019 and which we have updated via several iterations since. You can view the 2024–2025 RAP on myHRS at Reconciliation Action Plan - Haileybury Rendall School. RAPs, supported by Reconciliation Australia, have enabled organisations since 2006 to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.
Based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination. At HRS we understand that reconciliation is best driven by our non-indigenous community members, working with our Indigenous colleagues, whilst NAIDOC week is led by our Indigenous staff and students.
To ensure that our RAP is dynamic, ongoing and meaningful we have established the RAP Working Party made up of staff at HRS and sometimes including students and community members. The RAP Working Party is coordinated by the Chair, who is currently Mr Anthony Barker. This is a significant leadership role in the School previously held by staff such as Jye Strugnell and Ian Smith. Over 20 staff attend regular meetings of this group.
One of the key actions at HRS is to develop a program each year for National Reconciliation Week (NRW) which runs from 27 May – 3 June. This week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The theme this year is Bridging Now to Next and you can explore more about this at the official website at Home - Reconciliation Australia.
Our program for NRW this year has many highlights, and the program will be released via myHRS notices closer to the date. One highlight will be the opening concert on the morning of Tuesday, 27 May which parents are welcome to attend.
Andrew McGregor
Principal, Haileybury Rendall School
