During the September school holidays, four CBHS students – Javier, Marcus, Ezekiel, and Kirk – travelled to Fiji with Mr Logemann, joining eight students and staff from St Patrick’s College Strathfield for a joint school immersion program focused on social justice, sustainability, and global citizenship.

The group spent the week on Taveuni Island, known as the “Garden Island of Fiji,” where they witnessed first-hand the real and urgent impacts of climate change on local communities. From coastal erosion threatening ancestral homes to challenges in waste management and plastic pollution, the experience offered a powerful reminder of the human cost of environmental issues.

“The people of Fiji are not debating climate change – they are living with its impacts every day,” said Mr Logemann. “As a Catholic community, we are called to be stewards of creation, protecting the earth so that future generations may share in its gifts.”

The immersion combined service, learning, and cultural exchange, with students engaging in hands-on environmental projects, including coral planting and the removal of invasive crown-of-thorns starfish on Rainbow Reef. They also spent time with students at Southern Taveuni Secondary School, sharing classroom discussions and forming friendships through sport, including spirited rugby matches with local schools.

For Year 11 student Kirk, the coral restoration project and school visits were standout moments.

“This experience opened my eyes to how environmental issues directly affect island communities. Moving forward, my personal goal is to reduce plastic consumption,” he shared.

Ezekiel reflected on the strong bonds formed and the lessons learned.

“Their passion for rugby was incredible, but even more powerful was realising how rising sea levels are already flooding villages. I’ve committed to living more sustainably so that my actions have less impact on others.”

Marcus said the immersion deepened his awareness of the fragility of the natural world.

“On one of our hikes, we saw how the sea path had been moved further inland because of rising water levels. I want to make more environmentally conscious choices — starting by cutting down on foods that have a high carbon footprint.”

The week concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, gratitude, and commitment to caring for the planet — a reflection of the EREA Touchstones that underpin life at CBHS Lewisham.

“Small actions make a big difference,” said Mr Logemann. “Put your rubbish in the bin, recycle properly, bring a reusable bottle — we all have a part to play.”

Bula Vinaka to all involved in this life-changing experience – a true journey of faith, friendship, and stewardship.