Plus Ultra / Around the School
Indigenous Immersion R EACHING OUT, CH A NGING LIV ES
When students opt for an immersion experience, it’s tempting to focus solely on the benefits for those on tour. Yet, as Year 11 student, Kate Creese discovered on a St Peters tour to the indigenous Docker River community, the benefits of immersion can and should be a two-way street.
The experience was an opportunity for Kate and students from the Docker River, located 670km west south west of Alice Springs, to better understand each other; to form unexpected friendships; and for Kate to reach a decision that will impact her career. As she set off with 14 other St Peters students, Chaplain Thomas Böhmert and teachers, Bronwyn Jamieson and Ingrid Rucinski in late June, Kate didn’t know quite what to expect. Like many Australians, she had never been to a remote community but she embarked on the tour, determined to have an open mind. “We often only hear about the negative side of indigenous communities on the news so I thought I would go and see what it’s actually like without prejudice,” Kate explained. Tour Coordinator, Ingrid Rucinski, said giving students a first hand appreciation of indigenous and remote communities is at the heart of the immersion experience. “We want our students to see what it’s really like - not necessarily what the media portrays - and be able to have informed discussions,” Ingrid said. For Kate, the opportunity to be in a classroom and connect with some of the indigenous youth in an educational setting brought a change of heart in terms of her career options. “I was planning to be an occupational therapist but since I went on the trip and I got to know the kids, I realise I really want to be a primary school teacher in a remote community,” Kate explained.
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Pictured: Kate’s time at Docker River Primary School prompted a change of heart in terms of her vocational path. She has decided to be a primary school teacher in a remote community.
Kate spent time at the Senior School but it was her time at Docker River Primary School that touched her heart. “We did some colouring with some of the boys,” she explained. “One boy traced around his hand and did a very detailed drawing. They were so artistically amazing,” Kate said. “I’ve always liked being with children and I really enjoyed being able to help the students at Docker River Primary School. It was a great experience and I could see myself doing this for the rest of my life,” Kate said sincerely.