Students form Sydney Secondary College have just got back from Cowra, where they spent three memorable days on a cultural exchange, connecting with Country, community and new friends along the way.

For a group of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students from the College’s Leichhardt, Balmain and Blackwattle Bay campuses, the trip was the chance to step outside the city, experience a new community and build connections with students from Cowra High School.

The visit was part of an ongoing Cultural Exchange Program between the two schools, which gives students the chance to experience each other’s schools and communities.

During their time in Cowra, students went hiking, fishing, created art, gathered around campfires and spent time at Wyangala Dam.

They also visited Cowra High School, where they met their student buddies and joined a lesson.

For Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt campus student Fletcher, the chance to spend time with the Cowra students was a highlight.

“Some of my favourite things we did were having campfires each night, getting to build friendships with the Cowra HS students, as well as making new friendships with other Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in the College,” Fletcher said.

“We got to visit Cowra HS and join in a lesson, which was a great experience. I look forward to the next time we can see Cowra HS students again. It was so much fun.”

Students also explored some of Cowra’s most significant cultural and historical sites, including the Cowra Japanese Garden and former Prisoner of War Camp.

Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay student Jackson said the visits gave them a chance to learn about the history and character of Cowra.

“We visited many cultural sites around Cowra, taking in its rich history around the prisoner-of-war camps and Japanese gardens, which are unique to the culture of Cowra,” Jackson said.

“We also learned about Cowra’s many exports, visiting expansive canola fields and cattle yards around the town.”

The students were also joined by the Mayor of Cowra, who took on the role of tour guide and shared his knowledge of the local area.

For Balmain campus student Jordan, meeting people from the local community helped make the experience memorable.

“The Cowra exchange was extremely fun, and I am grateful for the opportunity to go,” Jordan said.

“The activities we went on helped me gain new insight into the community of Cowra. Meeting the people from Cowra was a welcoming experience.”

The trip was the latest chapter in an exchange that began earlier in the year, when Cowra High School students travelled to Sydney.

The Cowra students visited Sydney Secondary College campuses and experienced some of what the city has to offer.

Sydney Secondary College Head Teacher Programs Rodney Plashchik said the exchange had created opportunities for students from both communities to learn from each other.

“The exchange gave Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students the opportunity to learn from each other, engage in meaningful experiences, and spend time connecting with Country, culture and the local community,” Mr Plashchik said.

“There were so many wonderful friendships made and special memories created that will stay with our students for a lifetime.”

For the students, the exchange was about more than visiting a new place.

It was a chance to share experiences, learn from each other and build friendships that will continue when the students return to their own communities.

“We look forward to building on these positive educational experiences, school connections, and continuing our cultural exchanges with Cowra High School in the future,” Mr Plashchik said.