Immersion Programs
Experiences that challenge, confront and inspire change
Ministry Immersion Programs
Rosebank is committed to providing Immersion experiences for our students that challenge, confront and inspire change. During the year, groups of students in Years 10 and 11 travel to Santa Teresa (NT) to spend time immersed in an Arrente community in Central Australia; to Bacolod in the Philippines; joining with Red Earth on an immersion to remote Aboriginal communities in Far North Australia; and in ministry options in and around Sydney. Our rationale is best reflected in Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti, (Para 66) where he reflects on the parable of the Good Samaritan:
“Jesus’ parable summons us to rediscover our vocation as citizens of our respective nations and of the entire world, builders of a new social bond. This summons is ever new, yet it is grounded in a fundamental law of our being: we are called to direct society to the pursuit of the common good and, with this purpose in mind, to persevere in consolidating its political and social order, its fabric of relations, its human goals. By his actions, the Good Samaritan showed that “the existence of each and every individual is deeply tied to that of others: life is not simply time that passes; life is a time for interactions.”
Philippines
This experience will provide Year 11 students with the opportunity to explore the impactful story and Mission of the Good Samaritan Sisters in the Philippines. Students will travel to Bacolod on Negros Island, spending time at the Good Samaritan Kinder school and the Good Samaritan Outreach Centre. A visit to St Scholastica’s College and the Benedictine Missionary Sisters of Tutzing in Manila will connect participants to our wider Benedictine family in the Philippines. This immersion will include opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of the history and cultural aspects of the Philippines.
Red Earth
Red Earth Immersions offer Year 10 students a unique and transformative opportunity to connect with over 65,000 years of Indigenous culture, history, and wisdom. These immersive experiences are designed to deepen students' understanding of First Nations peoples through hands-on learning, cultural exchange, and meaningful interactions with local communities.
Students will explore the stunning landscapes of Cape York and the Northern Territory, two regions rich in Indigenous heritage. Through guided cultural experiences, they will learn about traditional art, storytelling, and ceremonies, while also gaining insight into the diverse and vibrant cultures that have sustained these lands for millennia. This journey not only provides an educational experience but fosters personal growth, empathy, and a deeper appreciation for the living cultures of Australia’s First Nations peoples.
By engaging directly with local Elders and community leaders, students will be inspired to reflect on their role in promoting cultural respect and reconciliation, making this a truly unforgettable experience.
Study Tour Programs
Rosebank offers two unique opportunities for students to travel internationally with teachers on a Study Tour. Running during alternate years during the April school holidays, Rosebank immerses Years 9, 10 and 11 students in either European science and culture or Chinese culture and language on the Science Cultural Study Tour to Europe and Chinese Tour. The Science Cultural Study Tour takes students to London, Paris, Geneva and Berlin while the China tour takes students studying Chinese to five of China’s unique cities: Hangzhou, Yellow Mountain, Shanghai, Xian and Beijing.
Students and teachers discover and learn together while developing students' skills in observation, reflection, induction, and deduction of discipline-specific issues through curriculum-linked, experiential learning activities in an international context. Rosebank’s immersion opportunities allow students to embrace and explore other cultures of people around the world, while also finding a new appreciation for their life in Australia.
