In mid October, Principal Stephen Walsh, Claire Thomas our Director of Mission, Sister Ailsa Mackinnon and Elizabeth Grady from Mercy Works travelled to Vanuatu to explore the potential of an immersion program for our Year 11 students.
They were hosted by Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu,ex-student Ms Jenny Da Rin (1981). They attended briefing meetings on Thursday at the High Commission as well as a meeting with Bishop John Bosco of Vanuatu and Mr Simmy the Executive Director of Catholic Schools in Vanuatu.
They attended a local Catholic primary school as well as the Central School in Port Vila, followed by a visit to Montmartre College (a 7-13 co-ed boarding school) on the outskirts of Port Vila. We were made to feel most welcome at all these schools and quickly became aware of the need for resources and teacher professional development in all three of these schools. Education in Vanuatu is not compulsory and, in some areas, girls are not encouraged to complete school.
More details will be available in early 2018 for students who may wish to participate in the immersion program in Vanuatu as part of our continuing commitment to making Mercy a verb.