Cherishing Community

At MRIS we are fortunate to have established some long-term collaborations with some amazing, experienced and talented people who, time-and-time again come back on campus to share their wisdom with our students and staff.

This outside collaboration has resulted in some wonderful community connections and mentoring opportunities which enrich learning experiences for our students and staff.

By supporting, teaching, up-skilling, and inspiring – MRIS Community Connections are an invaluable addition to school life.

MRIS Wadandi Mentor, Sam Webb

Noongar in the Bush’s Sam Webb is an integral part of the Year 3 Wadandi Mentoring Program and is often on campus for MRIS’s Change of Season Celebrations. Sam teaches the children all about being ‘on country’… this includes bush tucker, indigenous dancing, language and seasons. Indigenous connections are an important part of educating the whole child at MRIS.

MRIS Bird Expert, Christine Wilder

Local bird expert, Christine Wilder has shared her wealth of knowledge about the bird species endemic to the MRIS bushland for many years now.

Christine is often on campus running bird watching sessions, monitoring the school’s cockatoo nesting tubes and teaching the children how to bird map and identify chewed marri nuts eaten by cockatoos and parrots.

MRIS Innovations Mentor, Rob Glass

Local engineer, Rob Glass has been running MRIS’s extension program for over ten years now with the aim of sparking critical thinking and student creativity. His weekly sessions guide students to question and investigate theories and concepts whilst nurturing entrepreneurship.

The Undalup Rangers

The Undalup Rangers (part of the Undalup Association) are an Indigenous ranger group led by the Wadandi (saltwater) people, the traditional owners of the South West region of Western Australia (including Busselton and Margaret River). They combine traditional cultural knowledge with modern conservation to care for Boodja (country) and are always on hand to educate students, staff and families.

The invaluable relationship between MRIS and the Undalup Rangers has bought huge benefits to the school through their ongoing support in highlighting Aboriginal culture and drawing the MRIS community into the culture, spirit and history of the area.