It is four weeks today until the Indonesia Service Learning Team fly out for their adventure of insight and personal growth. In the context of this trip we have considered our school value of Growth – to try our best, build on our strengths, be curious about the world and be lifelong learners. However this trip actually encapsulates our whole St Martins Spirit to respect, have compassion, encourage others, look forward with hope and to live out our faith through our words and actions.
Service is giving of ourselves to help others and to strive to make a difference. Learning is all the things that we discover about ourselves, others, other cultures, our faith, the meaning of friendships and love that we experience along the way. Service comes in so many shapes and forms and gives back in so many ways. We can serve as we are doing through this trip or we can serve others through our daily actions no matter how small or big. We read in 1 Peter 4:10 ‘Each of you use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace…’. God invites us to share with others what he has freely shared with us.
A big part of our trip is based in our partner school, SD HKI3 in Pemetangsiantar which is up the northern end of Indonesia. The school has asked us to work with the children to develop their skills in conversational English and to also share games, sporting activities, arts, craft and in their worship and devotional life. We have found that the Indonesian children are like sponges and just soak up the opportunity to learn and share this time with their Australian friends. Art and craft is
something new to them and they have really embraced being colourful and creative, something that we take for granted really. In the coming weeks we will prepare resources and lessons. We will brainstorm games and outside activities and draw on the skills and talents of all on the trip to enhance this experience. The school is also in the process of trying to develop a little garden in the corner of their school yard so this is something that we may be able to help with.
I know this group of students is very excited and Chrissy Jachmann, Nic Halloran, Brenda May and myself are grateful to have the opportunity of their company and to get to know them through this rewarding experience.
Please keep our trip, these travellers and our partner school in Indonesia in your thoughts and prayers.
Robyn Teakle | Head of Junior School Wellbeing
