IGS was honoured to welcome a group of 21 students and five accompanying teachers from St Mary’s Ukrainian School, London, on Thursday 10 April. The visit, facilitated in collaboration with St Andrew’s Ukrainian School Sydney and the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM), was a meaningful opportunity for students and staff to connect with young people whose lives have been profoundly affected by displacement and the challenges of rebuilding in a new country.
St Mary’s Ukrainian School has become a place of refuge for many Ukrainian families who fled the war following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The school provides not only academic continuity but also a vital cultural connection for young people navigating the trauma of war while rebuilding their lives in the UK.
The visiting students were warmly greeted at the IGS front gate by staff and student ambassadors before going on a tour of the School led by Year 11 students and student leaders. Their day continued with an engaging Aboriginal Art Workshop led by Aunty B (Bianca Caldwell), a proud Wiradjuri woman and a cherished member of the IGS Community. The hands-on session, held in the Art Room, offered the students a chance to explore personal expression through traditional Aboriginal art techniques.
Following a group photo on the rooftop, the students and their IGS hosts gathered for a communal lunch, generously provided by Patricia from Anthony Catering. The visit concluded with an afternoon outing to Paddy’s Markets and Gelato Messina before the group returned to their hotel at Circular Quay.
IGS was proud to be part of this initiative through IGS Connect, reaffirming the School’s commitment to community, giving back and fostering intercultural understanding.
