Notre Dame College Immersion Experience to Thailand

Over the holidays a group of staff and students made the journey to Thailand as part of an immersion experience with Catholic Mission. Here is a reflection shared by Martyn Gospel who was one of the staff who attended.

Our Year 11 Thailand Immersion students, accompanied by staff members Maddie Griffiths, Melissa Kemp and Martyn Gospel, enjoyed an unforgettable time immersed in the culture, community and spirit of Thailand.

After travelling via Singapore to Bangkok before arriving in Pattaya, students commenced their immersion experience with visits to the Father Ray Foundation and the Good Shepherd Sisters. These inspiring organisations provide care, education and support for children, women and people living with disability, offering our students a meaningful opportunity to connect with the local community.

A particularly memorable moment came when Jo Jo from the Father Ray Foundation described all the children living within the Foundation as his "brothers and sisters". He encouraged our students to "be present in the moment" – a message that resonated throughout the day as they embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and compassion. Students shared in dance performances, played sport, enjoyed meals together and even introduced some Australian culture with an enthusiastic Nutbush dance that was warmly received by everyone.

At the disability centre, our students truly embodied the philosophy of getting involved. They danced alongside participants, led songs and built genuine connections through laughter, music and shared experiences. Their willingness to step outside their comfort zones demonstrated that the greatest rewards come from wholeheartedly embracing every opportunity. The immersion continued at an early learning centre, where students participated in exercise activities and learning experiences with two-year-olds before working alongside kindergarten and Year 5 students in a variety of classroom activities. It was wonderful to see our students engaging so naturally with children of all ages, sharing smiles, encouragement and friendship despite language differences.

One of the most poignant reflections came from student Lara Magill during the journey back to our accommodation. Lara shared that she couldn't wait to tell her parents about everything she had experienced during the day, before realising that many of the children they had met would not have the same opportunity. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of gratitude, empathy and the value of human connection. Beyond our work with these two remarkable Catholic organisations, students have also enjoyed experiencing the rich culture of Thailand through visits to a Buddhist site, a local beach, a famous tourist landmark, opportunities for a little retail therapy and even watching Thailand's national sport.

We are incredibly proud of the outstanding attitude shown by every student. They have approached each experience with kindness, respect, curiosity and a genuine willingness to learn from others. This immersion proved to be a life-changing opportunity.

Keeping the chaos holy,

Brendan Lindsay - Deputy Principal Catholic Identity