JourneyOnline
Unity College has made another step forward in ecumenical relations with the establishment of a cultural exchange programme with a school of the Free Wesley Church of Tonga.
Eight Year 10 students responded to the challenge to experience a very different culture first hand and travelled with teachers Carmel O’Brien and Karen Harrison plus Caloundra Uniting Church member Wilma Hewitt to Nuku’alofa for a life-changing adventure.
At the airport they were met by Rev. Alan Morrison and his wife Judy, who had helped to set up the visit, and the whole of Peteli Middle School (27 of them) from Pea village, plus staff and village families.
The warmth of the welcome set the tone for the week: amazing relationships were established as the children and families shared their island and culture with the Unity students. “It was a delight to see our students responding to the different values that confronted them,” said Carmel O’Brien, Assistant to the Principal, Religious Education at Unity College.
Learning experiences were many and varied: time is flexible; happiness does not depend on material possessions; the act of giving is a gift in itself; and above all, it is God who supports and guides us.
The students and staff returned full of stories and an enthusiasm to implement the next phase of the programme: a visit by Tongan students and staff to Unity College next year.
Unity College is a joint venture of the Catholic and Uniting Churches in Caloundra.
Photo : Carmel O\’Brien, Assistant to the Principal Religious Education at Unity College with Komisi Fihaki, Head of Peteli Middle School. Photograph by Judy Morrison
