Italy

Travel to Italy is biennial and occurs at the end of the Year.

Whilst the College is committed to the Overseas Travel elements of the co-curriculum, it reserves the right to vary the plans and provisions in response to changes in circumstances, particularly when the issue of sufficient student numbers to justify the commitment arises.

Students from Marian College and Santa Maria College have been visiting the Anangu people in the Pitjantjatjara communities for the last five years. The first visit was initiated by Santa Maria College in conjunction with teacher and renowned artist, Pauline Clayton.

The students travel with Desert Tracks, who have conducted these trips for several years with many different schools. Teachers who have experience in central Australia accompany the students.

Students spend time on the homelands of people who are custodians of the land and who teach the students their stories and involve them in experiencing the spiritual connection with the land through song, dance and hunting with the people. The students immerse themselves in learning the language and begin to understand the spiritual significance of the land to the Anangu people. The students also visit the Amata community and explore questions associated with their visit, which includes a visit to the Tjala Arts Centre, meeting the artists and talking about their art.

Students commit themselves to sharing their experience with the school community and beyond, which involves a commitment to social justice and confidence to communicate their values with others. They learn in an integrated and holistic way, which requires being prepared to forge a connection between learning, belief systems and personal choices. The students express the values of the Good Samaritan sisters as they build relationships with our First Australians.

http://www.deserttracks.com.au/