This year, National Reconciliation Week is guided by the powerful theme All In, a call from Reconciliation Australia for every Australian to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation – every day, in every action.
At Meriden, this message deeply resonates with our ongoing partnership with the Yadha Muru Foundation, formed in 2024. Meaning ‘good path’ in the Dharug language, Yadha Muru reflects a shared vision of walking together in respect, understanding and collaboration to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Through this partnership, Meriden is connected with two remote Northern Territory schools: Ti Tree School, located 200km north of Alice Springs, and Neutral Junction School in the Barkly region. Both schools have predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student populations, and together we are committed to improving school attendance, supporting teacher development, and strengthening cultural understanding through meaningful exchange.
“Our partnership is centred around meeting Elders from the local community and school leaders to listen and hear their educational outcomes for their schools,” says Mrs Jenny Greenhalgh, Meriden’s Coordinator of Learning Link – Cultural Connections.
This collaborative approach ensures that educational planning is led by community voices. Using Meriden’s resources, the partnership enhances opportunities for children in remote communities while fostering mutual respect, understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures.
Learning Together
Meriden specialist teachers in literacy, music and STEM have spent time at both Ti Tree and Neutral Junction schools, sharing expertise while learning from local communities.
Ms Jodie Spooner-Ryan, Meriden’s Dean of Music, has led a particularly impactful program integrating music and literacy. During her visits, she worked closely with Community Elders, learning language and cultural knowledge which became the foundation for collaborative songwriting.
“The centre of the approach is through authentic relationships and connecting learning to culturally responsive pedagogies,” says Ms Spooner-Ryan.
Through music education, students engaged in activities promoting focus, deep engagement, and confidence. Singing in language and working with musical symbols supported literacy development across Anmatyerr, Walpiri, and English, encouraging memory retention, self-directed learning and self-efficacy.
Cultural Exchange and Connection
The partnership extends beyond teaching visits. Meriden students have participated in cultural immersion trips to the Northern Territory, where they have learned directly from Community Elders about traditional art, on-Country learning, Dreamtime stories, and Aboriginal symbols.
These experiences have nurtured meaningful connections between students, fostering friendships and a genuine understanding of culture and identity.
A Design that Tells a Story
A powerful symbol of this partnership can be seen in the sport jerseys designed for Meriden students by Auntie April Napangardi Campbell, a Languages and Cultures teacher at Ti Tree School and a respected member of the Ti Tree community.
April, an Anmatyerr woman, describes the design as representing, “Meriden and Ti Tree School coming together and learning both ways, two cultures, Western and our culture.”
“Two sister schools enjoying ‘yarning’ with each other and bringing new ideas together.”
Her work reflects the strength of connection between the schools, a visual expression of reconciliation in action.
Celebrating Leadership and Resilience
Auntie April Pengart Campbell’s contribution is underpinned by an extraordinary personal journey. A lifelong educator, she recently completed a Certificate IV in Teaching an Australian First Nation’s Language through Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, graduating in 2025 after decades of dedication to learning and teaching.
From her early schooling in Ti Tree, where education was conducted only in English, to becoming a leader in language preservation and cultural education, Auntie April’s story is one of resilience, leadership and pride. She has written bilingual songs, led cultural exchanges, and inspired generations of students.
“I am very proud and happy,” she shared at her graduation. “What means most is to show my community and family it can be done.”
A Faith Foundation for Reconciliation
As we reflect on this year’s theme, All In, Meriden’s partnership with Yadha Muru Foundation reminds us that reconciliation is an ongoing commitment. Through our work with Ti Tree and Neutral Junction schools, students and staff are living this commitment, building understanding, sharing culture, and contributing to a more respectful and united Australia.
At Meriden, our approach to reconciliation is deeply shaped by our Christian faith, which calls us to love one another, seek justice, and walk humbly together. This foundation inspires us to listen with open hearts, to value the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to act with compassion and respect. In walking this path, we strive to be a community that reflects God’s vision of reconciliation, unity and peace.
