Rams Visit Australia
In collaboration with The Hyde Center for Global Education at
Boston College High School, Fordham Prep participated in its
first International Exchange experience. In June, nine Prep
students joined nine BC High School students at St. Ignatius'
College, Riverview, Sydney, Australia. The boys were hosted by
families of St. Ignatius' College.
During the first week, the boys were on campus with their
Riverview hosts. They attended class and took part in all aspects
of school life for five days, including House meetings, Liturgy,
assemblies and a rugby match. The host parents organized a
Sydney harbor dinner cruise and an outing to an Australian
Football League Game, known locally as "Footie."
Week two saw the students participating in four days of "In
Country Service" with their Riverview brothers. They performed
over 200 hours of service in eight organizations throughout New
South Wales. For example, the Aspect Ver Barnet School is a school
for 140 students with autism. Fordham Prep students worked in
a number of classrooms assisting and supporting the children in
their daily activities. Cana Farm is a working farm on the outskirts
of Sydney established to engage marginalized people in activities
that help them gain a sense of purpose and understanding of
community. Students worked alongside the wider community
(those with disabilities, on day release from jail, overcoming
addition) and were involved in the daily activities of the farm,
including a cooked lunch every day from local farm produce.
The boys shared and reflected on their experiences in journals
as well as on a OneNote notebook. Posts on the FP Australia
Companions in Formation Program Exchange Facebook page
show that our students had a tremendous experience. Their
parents have shared that the exchange experience allowed
them to make new friends, see the world from a different
perspective and make memories that will last them a life time.
Tapas for Trips
To support the Service Immersion and Global Education
programs and help make these opportunities affordable for
all families, the Mothers’ Club sponsors an annual Tapas for
Trips event. This year’s evening program raised $10,000.
The Prep’s Service Immersion Program includes trips to
Tennessee, Camden and Ecuador where students have the
opportunity to live out the Ignatian call to be men for others
while living and working with those in need of housing,
health care and education.
Our Global Education Program offers our young men the
opportunity to explore diverse cultures around the world, to
help prepare them to be more empathetic, to accept social
and cultural differences, and to be aware of social justice
and human rights issues. Future programs include Tanzania,
Rome, China, Belize, Uruguay and Rwanda.
Many thanks to the Mothers’ Club.
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