Cassie Dixon, Head of Teaching and Learning
From the Wednesday of Week 11 last term to the first Wednesday of the holidays, a group of 16 Kuyperians – 12 students and four staff – participated in the 2026 Vanuatu Service Learning Experience. Even though this is something that we as a school do each year, it is worth remembering that travelling overseas and spending eight days away from family makes this a very significant event for our students. For some of our students, this was their first time boarding a plane. By the time we landed back in Sydney, they had taken four flights and crossed international borders, and everyone had learned more about the world and themselves.
The trip was centred on partnership and service. Our students spent time at Child Care Centre School (CCC), a school with thirteen classes across two campuses in Port Vila. They taught lessons across every year group from Daycare through to Year 10 – something that required real adaptability and courage. When scheduling changes arose, the students adjusted their plans and reshaped lessons that had been designed for one age group to suit another entirely. Watching them not only rise to that challenge but enjoy it was one of the staff highlights of the trip.
Another standout was our visit to SIL Bible Translators, where Casey and Miklos gave a presentation that left a lasting impression. Through a simple but powerful activity, they illustrated what it means to encounter God’s Word with gaps in your understanding; words you do not know lead to concepts that remain just out of reach. It brought to life why having the Bible in your “heart language” matters so deeply. Casey and Miklos shared about the projects they have been working on: supporting the recording of the Bible in local languages so that people can listen even while their hands are busy, and helping to establish a local radio station. Both have uprooted their families – one from the United States, one from Hungary – to serve in Vanuatu, not because it is easy, but because they believe wholeheartedly in the mission. Elein, a ni-Vanuatu woman on the SIL team, also gave students a practical Bislama lesson, which opened the door to some genuine and joyful opportunities to connect with locals throughout the rest of the trip. This session reminded all of us – students and staff alike – that serving God does not always look the way we expect, and that every skill, when offered faithfully, can be part of something far bigger than ourselves.
At Scripture Union Vanuatu, students rolled up their sleeves for a day of physical service at the campsite. The girls organised arts and craft supplies and raked the grounds, while the boys shifted heavy steel beams, moved firewood, and tidied up supplies of sheet metal. None of us knew exactly what tasks would be waiting when we arrived, but the students got stuck in without complaint. SUV’s warm hospitality, which included an unexpected lunch, was a beautiful reminder that generosity flows in both directions when communities come together to serve. Students also had the chance to connect with the children of Collin, the SUV groundskeeper, and despite the language barrier, the joy in those interactions needed no translation.
The round-island tour took us to Ekasup Cultural Village, the Turtle Sanctuary, and Blue Lagoon. We were blessed by a fantastic tour guide, Brendan, who brought Vanuatu’s history and culture to life with infectious enthusiasm and impressive knowledge. Students learned about traditional ways of living, encountered animals at the turtle sanctuary, and enjoyed a BBQ lunch. The day ended at Blue Lagoon, where the platform and rope swing became something of a defining moment for the group. Some students launched themselves off the platform without a second thought. For others, though, this was much more of a challenge. For one particular student, it took a while to build the courage to make the jump. However, when they did, the look on their face when they surfaced in the water said everything: pride, relief, and pure delight. It was a small thing, perhaps, but it captured something true about this trip: stepping outside your comfort zone, even when it is scary, is almost always worth it.
As can be expected, there were some changes and even a few hiccups during the trip. This was our first visit to CCC without the beloved Miss Nadia, their principal, who passed away in January. Miss Nadia was a remarkable woman who was generous, tenacious, and deeply respected in her community. Her absence was felt, and we honour her memory and the years of friendship our school shared with her.
Some of our original plans had to change. These changes allowed for opportunities to practise adaptability in the face of disappointment, especially when we were unable to proceed with some of the activities we had hoped to do.
We are also mindful that the health of our group was, in many ways, a quiet miracle. A small number of students and staff battled illness over the course of the week. It was incredibly disappointing that they couldn’t join in the activities with the group. They were missed! However, we are incredibly grateful that illness did not spread further throughout our group, and thank God for His protection.
To our students: thank you for your willingness to be stretched. You taught lessons, served, challenged yourselves, and looked beyond yourselves. We pray that your time in Vanuatu has left you with joyous memories, and that God will continue to use it to bring about good things.
To the staff: I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mr Baldwin, Miss Robinson and Mr Hottinger, who gave up their own holidays to make this trip possible. Their dedication to our students does not go unnoticed, and I am grateful beyond words for their contribution to the trip.
To our donors: thank you, Independent Safe Access Pty Ltd; Pearl Pacific Pty Ltd; Explicit Maths Program; TGJ Services; Discovery Climbing; Hawkesbury Refrigeration Pty Ltd; and Novaflow Digital your contributions are truly appreciated. Thank you as well to others who made donations to the trip and supported fundraising events. Donations given in support of this trip have gone toward our partners on the ground, including SIL Bible Translators, Scripture Union Vanuatu, and Pango Presbyterian Church, and we look forward to continuing to support these and other groups in the future.