JUSTICE & SOLIDARITY 015 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 Learning for a Better Future for All With the excitement of the spiritual journey ahead, a group of ten St Pat’s boys, along with two members of staff, Mr Fox and Mr Biviano, began our path to connect and immerse our lives within the vibrant culture of Alice Springs and its surrounds. Faced with the challenge of leaving loved ones and all technology behind, we found ourselves completely devoted to the way of life and tradition of the sacred land. It was amazing to see the recognition of the school badge, as on our journey to Alice Springs, interactions with numerous Old Boys in public and the sharing of their past experiences at the College opened our eyes to the lifelong impact that commitments such as this immersion will have on our collective. We were welcomed warmly by the staff and students at St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre, as a Smoking Ceremony and Morning Pick Up runs established our first interactions with the students, which built upon the relationships we had developed with them in the lead-up to this time. The connections between the two groups only became stronger as we bonded over our common passion for sports, with the fellas introducing us to a game called ‘Box Footy,’ which involved a mix between basketball and AFL where points were scored by kicking the footy off the backboard. Throughout the course of the rest of the week, we immersed ourselves in the culture, as we participated in art classes in which we created boomerangs with our own unique designs based on traditional First Nations dot painting. We also visited spiritual sites such as Simpson’s Gap, Ellery Creek, and Ormiston Gorge. While on these trips, we learned about the significance of the land, and our bond with the St Joey’s fellas grew through their enthusiastic passing on of knowledge. The immersion enabled our group to forge a profound connection with the culture and grasp the significance of First Nations Dreaming. Visiting sites such as Uluru and Kata Tjuta unveiled the formidable presence of these natural landmarks, which are pivotal to the link between the Dreamtime and the Land. Hearing stories like “Liru and Kunia” (Battle of the Snakes) illuminated the importance of sacred sites such as Uluru in First Nations culture, as every facet of the land is ingrained with its own story. Without a doubt, this immersion has provided all of us with lifelong memories and relationships with the fellas that are truly unforgettable. It is a stepping stone for our pathway into being better stewards of our society and sharing our collective understanding of the culture of our First Nations Peoples. We left with not only knowledge, but also newfound friends. ALICE SPRINGS IMMERSION Patrick Bressa Year 11 Student Full Mob Indigenous Artwork Session Uluru
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