Wishing Our Jarlmadangah Burru Immersion Team Well

Toward the end of the school holidays, eight Year 11 students and two staff members, Chris Morton and Kellie Boorman, will set off on a special immersion experience to the remote Aboriginal community of Jarlmadangah Burru, located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

The group will spend just over a week in the region, with Nyikina Mangala Community School (NMCS) as their main base.

NMCS is a vibrant, independent Aboriginal school that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Nyikina and Mangala people. It offers a unique learning environment that combines strong academic skills with deep connections to country, language, and culture, supported closely by community elders and families.

Immersions like this are a powerful expression of our Mercy values. They invite us to step beyond our own experiences, meet others with openness and humility, and embrace the true spirit of hospitality.

In preparation, our students have shown wonderful initiative and creativity through their ‘Dare to Donate’ fundraiser. They are raising funds to purchase a special gift for the community as a gesture of gratitude for the school community's hospitality. Staff have courageously signed up for challenges such as singing at assembly, a dance battle, and an ice bucket challenge, amongst others. The three dares with the most donations will go ahead in Term 3. At last count, nearly $300 had been raised which is a fantastic achievement and one that shows the generosity and spirit of our school community.

We are incredibly proud of these students and staff for their commitment and willingness to engage deeply with others. We wish them safe travels and a rewarding, transformative experience. Our prayers and support go with them on this important journey.

A Blessing for the Journey

God of Mercy,
as they step forward on their journey,
teach them to walk gently on this ancient land.
May their feet fall softly upon the earth,
and may their hearts be open to your quiet voice within.
Grant them compassion, that they may feel the joys and struggles carried in each story.
Guide them in justice, to honour truth and stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in need.
Fill them with respect, for the wisdom of Elders, the teachings they share,
and the deep spirit of culture and community.
Shape them in hospitality, to receive each encounter as a gift,
and to offer warmth and presence without expectation.
Inspire them to serve, with hands ready to help and hearts eager to learn.
Gift them with courage, to enter into spaces of challenge,
and to be transformed by what they hear and see.
May they return renewed, echoing the quiet call of reconciliation,
and walking always in the light of Mercy.

Amen.