Sisters visit Victoria schools

ARARAT, Victoria: Marian College and St Mary’s Primary School recently enjoyed a visit from two nuns from Papua New Guinea.
Sr Helen and Sr Joanne spent two weeks visiting the schools and experienced teaching in another culture, as well as seeing how Australian schools worked in comparison to PNG.
Sr Helen taught with Ararat’s Sr John at a youth centre in a small suburb in Port Moresby more than 10 years ago.
“It is the first time we have visitors from PNG.
“It is also the first time that these two have come down and their connection is through me,” Sr John, who had taught in PNG for 15 years, said.
Sr Joanne is an elementary teacher and covers a broad range of subjects.
She said the biggest difference in the two countries was the number of specialised teachers Australia had.
Sr John said Sr Joanne sat in on several art classes, which she found highly beneficial.
“Joanne was with Bernadette, the art teacher over at St Mary’s, and was helping while the children painted sheets to put in the art show at the Ararat Show,” she said.
“So that was good because she had a variety of artwork from the students to look at, so that was a great benefit and she can take ideas back from that lesson.”
Sr Helen, who is a high school teacher in Papua New Guinea, spent time at Marian College taking part in cooking and textile classes.