A group of 20 Richmond Institute students travelled to the Northern Territory during the term one school holidays this year for an experience described as the opportunity of a lifetime.
Students were given the chance to enhance their social skills, learn more about themselves, and connect with local Indigenous communities during the experience.
As part of their time in the top end, all students spent a few days in Darwin, before splitting into two groups for trips to Jabiru and Cox Peninsula.
Richmond Institute’s, Program Educator (Career & Professional Development) Stephanie Sajkic, said Jabiru in particular provided students with invaluable experiences.
“In addition to the stunning environment and scenery, some of the best highlights from the trip encompassed the personal growth that students experienced and the positive influence, rapport and connections that were built with the local communities,” she explained.
“Students were able to meet and communicate with a diverse range of people. It was evident that exposure to this helped their emotional intelligence and relationship building skills.”
Activities on the trip included a visit to the Tiwi Islands with the Balunu and Gary Dhurrkay Foundations, where the students were able to conduct sports clinics with Indigenous Youth.
Current student, Talya Cunnington said that travelling to Cox Peninsula was a great opportunity.
“We really invested into the culture and community, which was eye-opening and beautiful,” she added.
“Visiting Florence Falls as well, that was spectacular – a fresh-water waterhole with fish swimming around us.”
A focus of the trip was to allow students the opportunity to apply their classroom learnings into real-life settings.
“We all utilised the units we studied in term one, so it was great to put them into action,” Talya said.
Olly Bennett, another current student, said that meeting the people from the local communities and finding out more about their culture, beliefs and values was a highlight for him.
“I developed the skill of self-reflection. I learned a lot about myself on this trip, finding out what I’m capable of and how I can help others,” he said.
An additional 20 students will travel to Central Australia in the term three school holidays for the Richmond Institute’s next immersion trip.
