By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
SCHOOLIES is done differently at St Peter’s College in Cranbourne.
Putting aside the party atmosphere after two years of strict study, six students will embark on a 10-day cultural journey in the Solomon Islands.
Partnering up with teachers from their sister school in Honiara the freshly graduated young adults will work as teacher’s aids and help with maintenance around the school.
Jetting off just a day after the VCE exam period ends on Tuesday 17 November the students will also live with families from the school.
April Hampson from St Peter’s College accompanied students on the schoolies alternative three years ago and said the students get a big shock.
“They say it’s nothing like they expected, no matter what you tell them before they leave,” Ms Hampson said.
“They aren’t used to seeing such a contradictory way of living, some people share a one bedroom home with many others and then some people are walking around with the latest iPhone.”
Immersed into the culture from day one, Ms Hampson said their sister school was very basic and St Peter’s College fundraised to help build and buy new learning materials for the school each year.
“This year we will be taking over $20,000 to help build a library for them,” she said.
After applying for the trip in term one, Ms Hampson said the community and social justice schoolies is a much better alternative to the common Gold coast trip.
