Immersions Report

John Kerrigan

Immersions Business Manager

Not surprisingly, the global pandemic has impacted the Immersion Program during 2020‑21. It was clear from the start of the year that international travel would be off the table during 2021 and that border closures would limit domestic travel. In the constantly changing environment in response to ongoing COVID‑19 restrictions, our planning for international travel is now slated for the second half of 2022, however long‑range planning is still very difficult.

All booked immersion trips for the year 2020‑2021, including the Camino pilgrimages, were cancelled in line with COVID‑19 restrictions and full refunds were made to all participants. To protect our clients from financial loss, agreements were made with our suppliers that in the case of cancellations due to the pandemic, Catholic Mission would receive full refunds or credits which in turn were immediately returned to our clients. This strategy has been well received with clients, in particular our schools. Parents and school principals have expressed their gratitude to Catholic Mission for our prompt action to return the funds so quickly. Catholic Mission utilised these challenges to refocus attention, providing an opportunity to develop and promote new Indigenous immersion programs. This saw the expansion of these programs from a single location in Alice Springs, to include three new sites of Darwin, Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land. This has increased the reach of these programs to more than 400 participants, up from 65 participants last year. Looking ahead, schools are now planning immersion programs for 2022. The Indigenous immersion program options we are offering in 2022 are:

1.The Annual Combined Catholic

Schools Immersion

Location: North East Arnhem Land Maximum number of participants: 230 Dates: 7th–14th April 2022

2. The Schools Immersion

Location: Alice Springs, Tiwi Islands or Darwin Maximum number of participants: 130 Dates: Various dates available (10 immersions)

3. The ‘Deadly’ Immersion

Exclusively for: students who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Location: North East Arnhem Land Maximum number of participants: 13 Dates: 26th June–3rd July 2022

4. The Partnership Exposure Program

Specifically designed for: donors that would like to see firsthand where their support could be directed Location: North East Arnhem Land Maximum number of participants: 8 Dates: TBA 2022

5. The Adult Immersion

Specifically designed for: adults wishing to join an immersion experience Location: Darwin Maximum number of participants: 13 Dates: TBA 2022

6. The School Leaders Immersion

Specifically designed for: principals and teachers Location: Darwin and North East Arnhem Land Maximum number of participants: 13 Dates: 18th–26th June 2022

Catholic Mission is in the process of applying to be an endorsed PD provider in line with NESA Standards under the priority area of Aboriginal education and supporting Aboriginal students/ children for teachers participating in this immersion. Currently however, application for recognition of PD Hours must still take place through individual diocesan Catholic education offices.

Learn more about Immersions