This fall, St. Mark's welcomes five exchange students from Australia. They come from two of St. Mark's partner schools as part of the Global Citizenship program.
Korcula Cowan and Bonnie Brown come to Southborough from St. Hilda's School, an independent, Anglican, day and boarding school for girls, located in Southport, a central suburb of the Gold Coast, Queensland. The school motto, Non Nobis Solum (Not For Ourselves Alone), is a powerful guiding principle.The Year 10 Exchange Program at St. Hilda's is seen as an important addition to their academic program. This past summer, two St. Markers—Leila Frederick '21 and Daniella Pozo '22—attended St. Hilda's.
Here at St. Mark's, along with English and math, the visitors from Queensland are taking the Global Seminar, as well as courses in theater and art.
Jeffrey Shenton, Will Ranger, and Hugo Gibbs are here from Christ Church Grammar School, an independent Anglican day and boarding school for boys in located in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. It focuses is on motivating students to discover and realize the best in themselves and others, utilizing a motivational teaching methodology. Over the summer, Jeremiah Ojeah '21 attended Christ Church from St. Mark's.
The students from Perth are also taking a full schedule of St. Mark's courses. In addition, Jeff Shenton is running with the boys' cross country program, while Will and Hugo are playing football.
All six Australian visitors are taking the same St. Mark's Saturday class: "Issues in Contemporary American Politics," taught by Mr. Jewell and Mr. Calagione. They are also enjoying the opportunity to explore New England. The St. Hilda's students have been to Boston, while the Christ Church contingent will be visiting that city during the first weekend in October. The six Australian visitors also were taken on an excursion to Six Flags New England in Agawam by St. Mark's faculty member Neil Cifuentes, assistant director of Global Citizenship and on-site partner school coordinator.
Bonnie and Korcula will return home on October 5, while Jeff, Will, and Hugo will take their leave of St. Mark's on October 13. The basketball team from Christ Church Grammar School in Perth will visit St. Mark's as part of its U.S. tour this coming December.
These exchange programs are an important part of St. Mark's Global Citizenship program. They broaden the horizons of students, helping them to grow as individuals, develop new global awareness, and make new friends from around the world.