{"id":19569,"date":"2025-02-20T10:59:21","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T23:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/?post_type=article&#038;p=19569"},"modified":"2025-02-20T10:59:21","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T23:59:21","slug":"cape-york-2024-student-immersion-8","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/article\/cape-york-2024-student-immersion-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Cape York 2024 Student Immersion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We continue to share the personal reflections and photos from the students who were on last year\u2019s Immersion to Traditional Homelands in Cape York. This week we hope you enjoy the reflection from <span class=\"TextRun SCXW171493261 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-AU\" xml:lang=\"EN-AU\" data-contrast=\"auto\"> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW171493261 BCX0\">Katerina <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW171493261 BCX0\">Giannikouris<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW171493261 BCX0\">(Year 10)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW171493261 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\"> and <span class=\"TextRun SCXW28650934 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-AU\" xml:lang=\"EN-AU\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW28650934 BCX0\">Piper Fincher<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW28650934 BCX0\">(Year 1<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW28650934 BCX0\">1<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW28650934 BCX0\">).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>For the previous week\u2019s reflections see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/article\/cape-york-2024-student-immersion-7\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Carol Bloomfield<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Head of Student Wellbeing Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Red Earth Cape York Immersion Reflection by Katerina Giannikouris (Year 10)<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After spending many days in Cape York, I feel more connected to Indigenous Australia, the land, culture, and people than ever before. This journey was filled with learning, reflection, and community, and it has taught me lessons that will stay with me for years.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">From the moment we arrived in Wurrey, Uncle Bernie and Auntie Cheryl welcomed us with incredible generosity and shared their wisdom with us. They welcomed us to their traditional land and taught us greetings in their language, \u2018Wantharra\u2019 and \u2018Nhamagarra\u2019, showing how much meaning simple words can hold. Camping on hard ground and taking cold showers tested our resilience, but the discomfort faded with shared meals, stories, and laughter.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The hands-on activities brought this understanding to life. We wove bracelets from Pandanus leaves, made damper over the coals, and painted a mural as a gift for the Melsonby traditional owners. These tasks showed me the mix of practicality and creativity in Indigenous culture, highlighting teamwork and the strong bond between people and nature.\u202f<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-19569 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'>\n<figure class='gallery-item link-'>\n<div class='gallery-icon'>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/Untitled-design-2.png\" data-rel=\"lightcase:1:slideshow\" title=\"\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/Untitled-design-2-228x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<div class='gallery-item__overlay d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center'><span class='fal fa-plus fa-2x'><\/span><\/div><\/figure>\n<figure class='gallery-item link-'>\n<div class='gallery-icon'>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/photo.pdf-2.png\" data-rel=\"lightcase:1:slideshow\" title=\"\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/photo.pdf-2-170x300.png\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<div class='gallery-item__overlay d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center'><span class='fal fa-plus fa-2x'><\/span><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Visiting the Great Barrier Reef was a strong reminder of how fragile it is. Snorkelling over bleached coral and vibrant areas of regrowth, we learned about the effects of climate change and ongoing conservation efforts. It was a powerful lesson that healing the environment is as crucial as fostering reconciliation among people.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This immersion has<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">been<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">game-changer<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">my<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">view<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Australia. It<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">had<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shown me just<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">how much wisdom and history<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">are<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">held<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">within the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Indigenous culture and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">importance<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">listening,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">learning, and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">acting.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">plan<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">go<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">on<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">further<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">advocating<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for reconciliation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">personally<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">by<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">informing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">myself and others and listening<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">more to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Indigenous voices, and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">actively<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">protecting<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">country and culture.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span> <br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">On<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the collective journey toward reconciliation, I will carry<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">with me<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">lessons<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">this trip<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has taught me-the importance of respect, the power of stories, and the strength of community. These lessons will guide me as I work to be more informed and active, helping build a future where Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians stand together in understanding and unity.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Red Earth Cape York Immersion Reflection by Piper Fincher (Year 11)<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The endless laughs, the memories and the new friendships made were all something I never thought I would encounter visiting Indigenous homelands in North Queensland on the Cape York Peninsula.\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Traveling to the Kalkajaka and Panamuunji homelands in Cape York was an experience that profoundly impacted me, both mentally and physically. As I set foot on these private extraordinary parts of land, I was immediately hit by the contrasting life and society. However, it was the deep connection to culture and heritage that I felt stuck with me the most.\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Our first homeland, Kalkajaka, was the homeland I resonated with the most. Ian was extremely welcoming as he helped us connect with the land around. On the first day, I did not know any of the Year 9s and just kept in my group of Year 10s however that changed as the days went on. Sharing a tent with Adelaide and Ava, was an unforgettable experience. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and had to talk to someone new. Soon Adelaide and Ava turned into forever friends. Our relationship with them, turned a silent tent into a tent which couldn\u2019t be quiet. We shared stories, laughed, played cards, talked about our memories from the day, and had so much fun trying new things alongside each other with Ian. We went into Cooktown and visited the museum where we had an amazing talk surrounding Cooktown as a whole, Captain Cook, and the Indigenous people during the 1800s. We went to Reconciliation Rocks, Quarantine Bay to catch fish, and then to find coconuts. The medicine and bush tucker from the trees were extraordinary around Kalkajaka. We painted shells that Ian had near his house and tied them around our necks. It was an unforgettable experience using the \u2018donkey shower\u2019 for our showers. So many laughs and screams from the water running out!\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-19569 gallery-columns-4 gallery-size-medium'>\n<figure class='gallery-item link-'>\n<div class='gallery-icon'>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/20240929_062542139_iOS.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightcase:2:slideshow\" title=\"\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/20240929_062542139_iOS-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<div class='gallery-item__overlay d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center'><span class='fal fa-plus fa-2x'><\/span><\/div><\/figure>\n<figure class='gallery-item link-'>\n<div class='gallery-icon'>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/20240929_223324028_iOS.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightcase:2:slideshow\" title=\"\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/20240929_223324028_iOS-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<div class='gallery-item__overlay d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center'><span class='fal fa-plus fa-2x'><\/span><\/div><\/figure>\n<figure class='gallery-item link-'>\n<div class='gallery-icon'>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/20240930_032426471_iOS.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightcase:2:slideshow\" title=\"\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/20240930_032426471_iOS-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<div class='gallery-item__overlay d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center'><span class='fal fa-plus fa-2x'><\/span><\/div><\/figure>\n<figure class='gallery-item link-'>\n<div class='gallery-icon'>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/20240929_084012880_iOS_1_1-1.jpg\" data-rel=\"lightcase:2:slideshow\" title=\"\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/02\/20240929_084012880_iOS_1_1-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<div class='gallery-item__overlay d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center'><span class='fal fa-plus fa-2x'><\/span><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We then went to Panamuunji homeland with Tim and Elaine. This homeland stay was our community project. We built and dug out holes in the ground for the system to allow flushing toilets for the next group of visitors. I got to learn how it worked as well as enjoying the company of my peers. By the end of the trip, we were able to use a flushing toilet. Tim took us down to the river near the homeland where we participated in traditional practices such as using natural resources from the riverbed for our skin, hair, and health. We ended each night with Tim\u2019s cultural storytelling as well as his special damper recipe. On the last night with Tim and Elaine, Ian came to visit us with his two dogs. This was my favourite night because of the togetherness in the group we had formed. Tim\u2019s storytelling and symbols \u2013 stick, rock, leaf \u2013 really stuck with me.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I have deepened my understanding on the differences in life and within society as well as my appreciation to just be in the moment. I will continue to go through everyday reflecting and using that symbols to ensure I maintain my gratitude and respect for life. By the end of the trip, I made so many new bonds with Tim, Elaine, and Ian, as well as making forever friendships with the Year 9s in my group and some of the Year 9s in the yellow group. By the end of the trip, we were one big family with so many shared memories.\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This Cape York immersion has had a significant impact on my life. I now embrace every day with appreciation and cultural sensitivity. The relationships I made on this trip serve as a reminder of the value of generosity and the strength of connection. I will live by these values going through life, giving back to my community and respecting the experiences that I have been so lucky to encounter.\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We continue to share the personal reflections and photos from the students who were on last year\u2019s Immersion to Traditional Homelands in Cape York. This week we hope you enjoy the reflection from Katerina Giannikouris (Year 10) and Piper Fincher (Year 11). For the previous week\u2019s reflections see\u00a0here. Carol Bloomfield Head of Student Wellbeing Programs [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":19573,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","article_category":[],"article_tag":[109],"class_list":["post-19569","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article_tag-immersion-trips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/19569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19569"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"article_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_category?post=19569"},{"taxonomy":"article_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/sceggs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_tag?post=19569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}