Immersion Experience

Introduction:

So what is an “immersion experience?” Well it’s an opportunity to be taken out of your normal environment and immersed into another that is very different to what you are accustomed to. The culture, climate, language, food, standard of living, even the colour of the earth may well be very different. Being in this new environment challenges us and gives us a greater perspective on life, having seen how other people live in our world.

Most importantly, students are there to give service – not as someone superior to those they help, but as someone who humbly offers a hand of friendship and assistance where needed. Students have the opportunity to serve Love, to connect with aboriginal people at a heart level and to be transformed by their experience. This integrates well with our College motto, which says we strive to be “prepared for all good works” and this is indeed an excellent opportunity to put words into action.

The Trip:

Every two years, six Year 11 students and two staff fly to Kununurra on a Saturday in late June, Term 2, and then drive down to Warmun the following day (approximately 2.5 hours). The group are in Warmun for five days and return to Kununurra the following Saturday to fly home that afternoon.

The Program:

The program followed while at Warmun consists of a 70/30 split. Approximately 70% of the time is spent giving service to the community and 30% is spent exploring the culture and landscape of the area. Ngalangangpum Primary School is a Catholic Primary School run by the Sisters of St Joseph. Our students are welcomed and they look forward to their involvement.

Service-Learning component. Students are involved in one or more of the following activities:

• Working in school library/office
• Working in classroom 
• Working in school kitchen
• Working in community Art Centre
• Delivering meals to the elderly
• Assisting at the pensioner unit
• Learning in Mirrilingki Spirituality Centre

Cultural component:

• Daytrip into bush with local students
• Tour of Argyle Diamond Mine

Costs:

Sponsorship and fundraising is conducted to reduce the cost to $600.00 per student (not including spending money). If necessary, there is provision for two students from families experiencing financial difficulties to be further subsidized and able to go for $300.00 each.

Weather:

In June the weather is a pleasant 28 – 32 degrees and is one of the best times of the year to visit this region of Western Australia.

Accommodation:

Whilst at Warmun, students are accommodated at the Mirrilingki Spirituality Centre approximately one kilometre north of the community along the Great Northern Highway. The Centre is operated by the Sisters of St Joseph. Each student has his/her own room (linen included) and all meals are provided. The Sisters also run a reflective program for the students across the five days they are there.

Student’s Commitment:

Students selected to go on this great adventure, are required on their return to:

• Research an aspect of aboriginal culture and to integrate this into a presentation covering the student’s experience, which is presented to all Year 10s in the College’s performance venue, the Xanten Centre.
• Make a contribution to the Christian Service-Learning program at St Norbert College.