The Year 10 students left on September 17, following Callum, Lincoln and Lucy Hemming, who previously took part in the AngliSchools cultural immersion and service-learning program.
Before leaving, Ben said he wanted to approach the journey with an open mind.
He hoped to help as many people as he could while learning about different values, opinions and cultures.
Callum and Lucy had shared their experiences, but Ben knew this journey would be his own.
At the heart of the program is a partnership with All Saints Anglican School in Apia, Samoa’s capital.
It aims to give visitors a life-changing experience while being helpful and respectful to the local community.
Callum and Lucy joined classes across several year levels, helped deliver a whole-school sports day and assisted with swimming lessons.
They raised money for classroom mats and replacement Bibles, while Lucy brought scrunchies made by her grandmother.
They also experienced Samoan culture and explored some of the country’s natural highlights.
Callum was struck by the warmth of the community and how naturally the visitors were included.
He remembers lending his camera to children at the school, who took around 500 photographs in a few hours.
He also joined the students for rugby, taking off his shoes to play barefoot alongside them.
“I thought, ‘I’ve got this kid,’ but he just kept walking and pulled me along,” Callum said, laughing.
“They were so strong.”
Music provided another connection for Lucy, who loves singing ― she was struck by its place in everyday Samoan life and the natural harmony of the voices around her.
“They were always singing, and they all sounded as though they could sing beautifully,” she said.
The experience renewed Lucy’s love of music and has become part of her thinking about life after school.
Callum and Lucy noticed differences between life in Samoa and Australia. They became more aware of the economic challenges facing many families and the limited resources available to the school.
Yet material circumstances told only part of the story ― they also found richness in the community, the warmth of its welcome and the connections people shared.
Callum described the trip as “the best learning experience I have ever had”, admiring the importance people placed on relationships and their ability to enjoy the present moment.
“I envy that — being able to live in the moment and enjoy the moment,” he said.
For Lucy, returning home brought fresh appreciation for things she had taken for granted.
“I am grateful for what I have at home,” she said.
Before the students left, the principal of All Saints told the visitors that whenever they felt lost or alone, there would always be a little school in Samoa that cared for them.
The experience gave Callum and Lucy a greater appreciation of the comforts and opportunities they have through their families, school and education.
It also brought kindness, empathy, faith and service to life, while developing their independence and understanding of the world.
Ben and Riley are now creating their own memories. When they return in early October, they will bring home more than stories of fun and adventure.
As Cobram Anglican Grammar School principal Keith Willett has seen in previous participants, experiences like this can enrich students’ education, deepen their understanding of others and influence the people they become.
That is what makes it more than a school trip
