Service Learning

Our trip to Samoa

During the school holidays, Mr Tom Dempers and I accompanied eight St George’s students on a 16-day Service Learning trip to Samoa. 

Our Year 9 to 11 students - Marcus Calafiore, Lily Turner-Feild, Indi Caudo, Ruth Duuring, Tom Fulton, Eamon O’Neill, Harry Stowe and Ben Humphreys - certainly did our school proud on the adventure attended by a number of ASC schools.  

The first week had more of a cultural aspect. The students saw a coral nursery and assisted with coral planting, much the same as one would do with plants, but slightly more delicate. We ate local food, watched traditional dancing and visited the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and grave.  We also got the chance to enjoy some beautiful beaches and other popular sightseeing spots. 

Most of the second week was spent at All Saints School. The ASC students, in groups of 3 or 4, were helping in classes and teaching students the activities they had planned prior to our trip. Our students also showed initiative and taught several unplanned sessions. 

One of the highlights for Year 4s and 5s was a trip to the swimming pool where the students had a quick swimming lessons and played lots of fun games lead by the ASC. Seeing our students interact and teach was amazing. The school and its resources are so limited, so all our help was very much appreciated. 

Our accommodation was very basic and our students cooked breakfast and dinner most nights, using very few pots and pans, making it rather challenging at times. We drove around the island in mini vans, sometimes listening to the local radio and their music hits. 

As part of the trip, we took almost $700 in donations raised by last term's free dress day at school. Some of that money was used for paint and we painted the school fence. The rest was used for a number of resources for the class rooms. The photo of us all on this page with shopping shows what we purchased for the classrooms. 

We took part in assemblies and zumba, which happens outside most mornings. There was a lot of beautiful singing and all students joined in with loud, proud and happy voices.

The Samoan children absolutely loved having the ASC students in their classes and there were lots of hugs and tears when the week was over. 

Ms Lena Olsen

Education Assistant

Student reflections

‘Even though I am still shaking the sand out of my shoes, I would strongly recommend this trip. The crystal-clear beaches, connecting with the locals, and even being harassed at the markets  made for an unforgettable learning experience. Time spent at the school with local children was incredible. The temptation to fly back is crazy!

Marcus, Year 9

My favourite activity was staying at Lalomanu Beach for two nights in an open, shack-like structure looking out on to the beach. It is owned by our tour guide Tanu’s family, who were all extremely welcoming and kind. Tanu’s family is highly respected in the village because Tanu is the chief. The beach was gorgeous, with clear and calm water. At night, we ate in an open hall that was set up like a buffet.

Indi, Year 9

Across the two weeks we visited places and did things I never thought would be real. Some nights we slept less than 30m from the ocean, swam in a massive sink hole, snorkeled, drank from fresh coconuts, made close friends and a difference to the kids’ lives at All Saints helping teach the classes, play sport with them and make friends. Ultimately, it was a trip of a lifetime and one I would recommend.

Ben, Year 11