Damascus College welcomed Consul General Mr Johannes Jatmiko Heru Prasetyo and members of the Indonesian Consulate (Melbourne) to campus, providing students with a rich and engaging cultural learning experience.

As part of the visit, Year 7 students participated in an Indonesian incursion, engaging in a series of interactive activities designed to deepen their understanding of Indonesian language and culture. A highlight of the session was the angklung workshop, where students explored traditional Indonesian music through hands-on participation, building both confidence and connection in their learning.

Principal Steven Mifsud reflected on the significance of the experience, sharing, “When students are given the opportunity to engage directly with culture, language becomes something lived, not just learned. It challenges their thinking, broadens their perspective and invites them to see their place in a much bigger world.”

The visit formed part of the Consulate’s broader work to support Indonesian language education across Victoria and Tasmania, and recognised Damascus College as the only secondary school in Ballarat offering Indonesian.

Students across multiple year levels were involved throughout the day, benefiting from meaningful, real-world engagement that brought their classroom learning to life. Principal Steven Mifsud also met with Mr Prasetyo, acknowledging the importance of ongoing partnerships that support language learning and cultural exchange.

The experience highlighted the strong and longstanding connection Damascus College holds with Indonesia through study tours, partnerships with schools and educators, and continued opportunities for students to engage with language and culture.

Experiences such as this support students to develop global perspectives, deepen cultural understanding and grow as informed and connected members of the wider community.