Shared experiences such as study tours create enduring links between students and staff

Opportunities to travel with School instil greater cultural understanding and broader perspectives and personal awareness for students allowing them to further develop their self-confidence, self-esteem and resilience.

Shared experiences such as study tours create enduring links between students and staff that provide support, comfort and confidence during, and well after, the tours have ended.

Negotiation, cooperation, leadership, empathy, patience and confidence are all utilised on a daily basis as students eat, sleep, learn, socialise and travel together.

During the Term 3 School holidays 15 students, 10 from Year 9 and five from Year 8, embarked on an eight day study tour to the Northern Territory. Our tour explored the history and beauty of Australia’s top end visiting amazing sites including Kakadu National Park, Warradjan Cultural Centre and Katherine Gorge in the Nitmiluk National Park as well as the Fannie Bay Gaol, Museum and Art Gallery and the Cyclone Tracey display in Darwin.

One of the most positive aspects of the tour was the level of interaction, spirit and positive engagement between the students across the two Year levels. Throughout the tour students were inclusive, thoughtful, respectful, kind and caring towards each other and our staff.

Encouraged by staff to establish new friends above and below their age group fostered the confidence, initiative, team cohesion and support that, as the week progressed, saw the students’ confidence to try new things outside of their personal comfort zones soar. Students embraced new experiences and new challenges with fervour – whether it was the searing heat of the Northern Territory, walking through rugged landscapes, packing up tents or engaging with others.

Over the eight days students demonstrated strong leadership – working together to set up camp, organise meals, clean and pack up camp. Throughout all aspects of the tour the students remained mindful of the needs of the entire group.

On reflection of their tour the students agreed the most positive experience – above and beyond visiting the landmark sites in the top end – were the strong bonds of friendships that developed amongst the group and will continue beyond their time at School.

St Catherine’s provides students a wide range of opportunities to extend their learning, knowledge and confidence through interstate and overseas travel. Our well-established exchange programs and study tours broaden the educational offerings allowing our Senior School students to contribute to the wider community, explore opportunities and develop a deep understanding of their responsibilities within local, national and international contexts.

Mrs Jenny Molloy
Dean of Year 7