In this fortnight’s Leadership Reflection, Ben Harris, Head of Senior School, reflects on a period of significant cultural and religious observance within the Burgmann community, and what it teaches us about listening, perspective and respectful disagreement.
This time of year at Burgmann is as spiritually rich and festival-concentrated as any I can remember.
In recent weeks our community has marked the colourful Holi festival with our Hindu families, continued the Christian season of reflection and sacrifice during Lent in preparation for Easter, recognised Purim and Passover with members of our Jewish community, and observed Ramadan as our Muslim families prepare for Eid. Harmony Week sits among these celebrations as another reminder of the diversity that defines our school.
Few moments capture the spirit of Burgmann more clearly than this period. We celebrate diverse stories throughout the year, but at times like this the breadth of cultures within our community becomes especially visible. From Liberia to Cuba, Nigeria to Cambodia, China to Tahiti, Bhutan to Iran, our students and staff bring with them an extraordinary tapestry of experiences, traditions and perspectives.
As a teacher of International Relations and Global Studies, I spend much of my time encouraging students to look at the world through different lenses. Nations approach global issues through cultural, ideological and ethical frameworks, and understanding these perspectives is essential if we are to engage thoughtfully with the world around us.
In Year 10, students are currently exploring the re-emergence of a more multi-polar world and the challenges facing the rules-based international order. Through case studies including China, Russia and the United States, they examine how national interest, security, ideology and economics intersect and sometimes clash. Rather than searching for simple “right” or “wrong” answers, our aim is to understand why different actors see the world the way they do and what is at stake for each of them.
“In a world where global tensions can escalate quickly and headlines often reflect conflict rather than cooperation, these conversations matter. They help students develop the capacity to listen carefully, to avoid rushing to judgement, and to disagree with respect and confidence.”
The habits we practise in our classrooms and across our school community matter deeply. If we want a world where diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation prevail, we must model those behaviours ourselves. That means creating spaces where students can share perspectives, challenge ideas and still treat one another with respect.
At Burgmann we expect our students and staff to act inclusively, responsibly and respectfully at all times, not only during Harmony Week or during important cultural celebrations. Community is built through sharing our stories, discussing what matters, learning how to disagree with respect and then coming back together afterwards.
In this period we reflect on greater purpose, our place in the world, how to be a better person of faith, how to contribute to our community to make it deeper, richer and more welcoming, and how to be inclusive without judgement, ensuring that every member of our school feels a sense of belonging and purpose here.