National Reconciliation Week 2026 at Trinity 

Before National Reconciliation Week began, Headmaster Mr Tim Bowden took the opportunity on Quad and in his weekly news to speak to National Sorry Day on 26th May. 

A day of remembrance and public apology, National Sorry Day was first marked 29 years ago and continues to be observed in commemoration of the findings of the 1998 Bring Them Home report acknowledging the truth of government policy allowing the systemic removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. 

“Acknowledging it reminds us – government and citizens alike – that healing remains to take place, and that we have a role in bringing healing,” said Mr Bowden. 

“During National Reconciliation Week, we will reflect on how we all can contribute to the broader challenge of shaping a just, equitable, reconciled society. However, on National Sorry Day we take the time to sit with the discomfort of knowing that our nation has wronged these generations who were stolen. For this, we are sorry.” 

To mark the beginning of National Reconciliation Week on 27th May at Trinity this year, Kobe M (10WH), a proud Ngemba and Barkindji man from Brewarrina on his mother’s side and proud Tongan on his father’s side, delivered the Acknowledgement of Country. 

He explained the history of National Reconciliation Week to the boys and young men at Trinity and reminded all present that: 

“Change is possible when people come together with courage and conviction … it is important that we acknowledge that acknowledgment and reflection are important to ensure that these historic moments in our history matter. 

“This year’s theme ‘All In’ means every one of us choosing to participate, to listen, to learn, and to act, and that we all have a role to play.

“We can only move forward in reconciliation if we walk together, listen to the truth, respect the history of these lands, and honour the Elders, my Elders, who fought so that I could stand here [on Quad] today.” 

His words set the tone for a week filled with activity designed for students and staff to reflect on the task of reconciliation and how we all can play our part. 

That same day, Year 9 students hosted and heard from Uncle William Nixon and Uncle Bobby Young, two survivors of the Kinchela Boys’ Home. The Kinchela Boys’ Home was one institution where children who had been taken from their parents were housed. 

Speaking of their visit, Mr Bradley Barr (Deputy Headmaster) said: 

“They and the other survivors tell their stories because truth-telling acknowledges the historical silencing of injustices and ongoing impacts of colonisation on First Nations people and truth-telling is fundamental to advancing reconciliation.” 

On Thursday, 28th May, Jayden R (11Ta), a proud Wiradjuri man from the Kalari River region introduced and interviewed a special guest: 300-game Sydney Swan, member of the Indigenous AFL Team of the Century, Co-Founder of the Go Foundation, and proud Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, and Narungga man, Mr Michael O’Loughlan. 

After the interview, Mr O’Loughlan presented the Reconciliation Round jerseys to Trinity’s 1st Grade AFL, Football, Rugby, Tennis, and Volleyball teams. 

The artwork featured on the jerseys was commissioned by Trinity from sportsman and Indigenous artist, Dylan Peitch. From the bottom of the artwork to the top: 

• The waves symbolise hills of the Wangal land and the location of the School at Summer Hill. 
• The circles symbolise the gathering of people coming together from across the city to meet at Trinity. 
• The hands symbolise the many hands coming together to make Trinity and its community. 
• The boomerang symbolises that people go away from the School but are always connected and always welcome back. 

It is important, across the School, that learning, acknowledgment, and reconciliation is a daily effort, not one confined to a single week of the year. 

One way the Preparatory School students are learning more is through their Indigenous Garden. As they learn from Horticulturist and Worimi man, Mr Mark Eagleton, the students spend time out in the garden, exploring different tasks – sowing seeds, aerating soil, removing bugs, and harvesting their hard work. 

Students head out in small groups of 6-8 to ensure they have quality time out in the garden and time with Mr Eagleton to ask questions. 

“We’re conscious that we need to embed more Aboriginal content with the new syllabus outcomes, but we also want to get the perspectives right, and the pedagogies,” says Mrs Fiona Evans. “This enables us to do that, and means that our boys can go out and actually see things growing, and understand how they can be used down the track and what their use is.”

“It’s good for the plants, it’s good for the land, and it’s good for the boys,” Mr Eagleton says. 

As Reconciliation Week wraps up for another year, the Trinity community has once again benefited from First Nations perspectives across all campuses, leaving many with a renewed determination to further reconciliation.