Introducing staff to The Retreat

On Monday IGS history was made when staff travelled to Kangaroo Valley.

As the mist rose above the Valley, revealing remnants of rainforest clinging to the steep escarpment, staff envisioned with much excitement the possibilities this new extension of the IGS campus could bring.

Five staff members from The Retreat stand in a grassy field talking, surrounded by green trees, with misty mountains and power lines in the background under an overcast sky.

A woman with sunglasses and a white bag jumps joyfully in the centre of a bright, circular room at The Retreat, where wooden beams, large windows, and a small table create an inviting space perfect for staff introduction sessions.

Teachers and support staff came together at the School’s new rural campus to explore and become familiar with the beautiful property and start a conversation about the ways in which the educational journey of our students and the professional life of our staff could be enhanced at The Retreat this year, and into the future.

A group of people stand together talking and smiling in a wooded forest area during The Retreat. Dressed casually, some with sunglasses and cups, they enjoy a relaxed outdoor staff introduction among tall trees.

A group of women, part of The Retreat staff, walk and laugh together on a wooded path, carrying bags and wearing casual clothes, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.

The day also included a special welcome from Dharawal Elders. In their welcome, our new local friends from Gadhungal Murring spoke about the history of the property, their people’s connection to this place, and the benefits of sharing culture and learning from each other, before performing a smoking ceremony and inviting staff to search for their own deep connection with the land.

Five people stand outdoors smiling for a staff introduction at The Retreat, including two adults and three children. The group hold branches and a log with foliage. Trees and a building are visible in the background.

During The Retreat, three people kneel around a small smoking fire on grass, performing a cultural activity, while a diverse group of people—including staff introduction participants—stand watching in the background outdoors.

“A smoking ceremony is not taken lightly. A smoking ceremony is a doorway between us and the spirits.”

A man hugs a child tightly whilst another young person stands nearby, looking down. Smoke or mist fills the background and several blurred people from The Retreat's staff introduction are visible in the distance.

A group of people, mostly women, stand outdoors in casual clothing at The Retreat, some wearing sunglasses. They appear to be watching something, with smoke visible in the foreground and trees in the background.

A group of people outdoors at The Retreat participate in a smoking ceremony. During an employee induction, a man in a blue shirt and cap waves smoke towards himself from a wooden bowl held by another person, with greenery and trees in the background.

The festivities concluded with everyone coming together to enjoy wood-fired pizza on the lawn, before departing back to Sydney in the afternoon.

Five staff members from The Retreat walk across a grassy clearing surrounded by tall, green trees, carrying bags and wearing hats. The scene appears calm and natural, with sunlight filtering through the forest.