Boarding students and staff from St Scholastica’s College, Glebe recently hosted a visit from 10 students and their families from the remote Indigenous Kimberley community of Ringer Soak in Western Australia, in a “transformational” cultural exchange for both groups.
By Debra Vermeer
The visit by the Year 5, 6 and 7 students from the Birlirr Ngawiyiwu (Spirit of God) Catholic School at Kundat Djaru-Ringer Soak aimed to familiarise them with life at St Scholastica’s as part of a broader investigation into various high school options.
Teacher at Ringer Soak Simone Parianos, who has also participated in this year’s Good Samaritan Study, Accompaniment and Mentoring (SAM) Program, accompanied the students and their parents or carers on the big trip across the continent. She said the visit left a lasting impression on everyone.
“Unlike a lot of other communities in the Kimberley that offer high school options, we finish at Year 6. Because we’re extremely remote, our students have to leave here after Year 6,” Simone said.
“There are very limited options for them in Western Australia, although we have been exploring all those options. But I thought we should look further to see if there’s another option that caters for our students’ needs.”
When Simone was in Sydney for a SAM gathering earlier this year, a conversation with Sisters of the Good Samaritan Spirituality and Mission Animation Leader Monica Dutton and Sister Meg Kahler SGS resulted in the idea that the students and their parents or carers could make the trip to Sydney check out life at St Scholastica’s.
The proposal was warmly received by the College and, with much preparation on everyone’s part, became a reality.
Image supplied by St Scholastica’s College.
St Scholastica’s Head of Boarding, Libby Molony, said the visit from the students and families of Ringer Soak was a delight for both students and staff at the College, including the First Nations boarders. “It was just delightful,” she said. “It was a really wonderful experience for everyone here.”
Libby said that she and the Boarding Captain, Liberty McInerney, met the visitors when they arrived at St Scholastica’s, remembering that most of the students had never been to the city before.
“At first there was some quietness and shyness and reticence, but once Liberty met them and welcomed them and we invited them through to the dining room to share dinner with our boarding students, that all fell away. Before long, our students were mingling and chatting with the group and the conversation was flowing completely naturally,” she said.
“The noise was just divine; it was really lovely to watch. There was a lot of interaction, and then they couldn’t wait to get outside. Our students took them up to the basketball courts where they played together and the adults had some time to relax together.”
Over the next few days, the students from Ringer Soak, which is located 170 kilometres south-east of Halls Creek, close to the WA/Northern Territory border, saw some of the sights of Sydney, including Taronga Zoo, Sydney Aquarium, Centrepoint Tower and even Luna Park. They also took ferry and light rail rides and were treated to a day of shopping.
They shared meals every evening with the St Scholastica’s boarding students and spent time getting to know one another.
St Scholastica’s deputy head of boarding, Maddy Arnold, said that despite coming from such a remote location, the Ringer Soak students quickly warmed to all the facilities, friendships and hospitality on offer at the College.
“Every night after dinner, they would spend hours together playing on the school grounds – basketball, touch football, hide and seek,” she said.
“I think it was refreshing for our girls to see these students who were just so free to be themselves and had no trouble sharing with us how their day had been and what they’d seen, because they were so excited. It was a great cultural exchange for our girls, too.”
Sophia and Lily Lo. Image supplied by St Scholastica’s College.
St Scholastica’s boarder Lily Lo said she really enjoyed meeting the students from WA. “It was fun getting to know new people who come from such a different environment, yet we were able to connect so easily,” she said.
“One of the highlights was having the chance to meet their families. It made the whole experience feel even more special and welcoming.
“During their visit, we made many great memories; from playing games together to learning a bit about their culture, including their language, and what life is like in their communities.
“They also taught us some of the games they play at home, which was a fun way to share experiences. I feel like I’ve made lifelong friends, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to spend time with them.”
Fellow boarder Katarina Taufa described her time with the visitors as “truly special”.
“Engaging with a young group of children and adults was a wonderful experience for me and all the girls in boarding,” she said.
“Seeing them travel all the way from WA made me realise how significant these small moments are for them and for us, and how valuable it is for young people like them to see the opportunities that exist here.
“Sharing games, conversations and a meal together was a meaningful experience, and I am truly grateful that I could be a part of this.”
Image supplied by St Scholastica’s College.
The visit coincided with Orientation Day for 2026, which provided the perfect opportunity for the Kimberley students and their families and carers to be shown around the College, including the St Scholastica’s Chapel.
Libby said the students were in awe of the beauty of the chapel, with its stained glass windows, altar and mosaics as well as an impromptu singing of ‘Sacrament Most Holy’ by Libby and Maddy.
“It was a lovely, special time. It was a real cultural journey for all of us,” she said.
On Orientation Day, the three boys among the students from Ringer Soak visited St Joseph’s College at Hunters Hill, where there are also boarding opportunities and a strong Indigenous support program.
Image supplied by Simone Parianos.
Simone said the students and their families were overwhelmed by the hospitality shown to them and most said they would be interested in exploring St Scholastica’s and St Joseph’s for their high schooling.
“Just now, it’s about working out the nitty gritty of how that might be possible financially,” she said.
“And if we can send a few of them together, that would be fantastic so they could have each other’s company while they are there because it is definitely a very different life to what they are used to back home in a very small and remote community.”
One of the students from Ringer Soak, Angelona Jigili, said the trip was full of happy memories. “My highlight was the roller coaster at Luna Park – it was such fun! I also learnt how to play volleyball at St Scholastica’s,” she said.
Fellow student Joyanna Jack said the trip was a great mix of sight-seeing and making new connections. “My highlight was seeing a snake and the koalas at the zoo. I also learnt about St Scholastica’s and that the people there were really friendly,” she said.
Simone said the trip was “transformative” for both the students and the adults who were a part of it and she is hopeful it will lead to lasting outcomes.
“My hope is that these students can experience an education that every other Australian could experience in a metropolitan situation so that they can have those same opportunities and grow up, as we say here, strong, smart and happy. I hope that they can grow up strong in themselves and then perhaps come back here and be the leaders and the strong people for their community,” she said.
St Scholastica’s College continues in the tradition of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and belongs to the community of 10 schools across Australia called Good Samaritan Education.
This article was published in the December 2025 edition of The Good Oil.
Image supplied by Simone Parianos.
