Global Experiences

Tenison Woods College provides a wide range of travel opportunities for students. Some of these experiences enhance classroom learning, offering a richer understanding of culture and history. Others focus on community service and social justice, giving students and staff life-changing, unforgettable experiences. For some tours, the sporting bond on the court extends outside of the game and forms into life-long international friendships.

We believe that travel is a key part of education and personal growth, helping students build independence and confidence as they explore and discover the world.
Overseas travel experiences offered at Tenison Woods College include the following destinations:

•    China
•    Italy
•    Japan
•    New Zealand
•    Timor-Leste
•    USA (Basketball & Performing Arts)

To find out more about each of these experiences, please scroll down. (Please Note: Tours are listed in order of departure).
 

Next tour, 29 June–12 July 2025

Each year, a group of students and staff travel to neighbouring country, Timor-Leste to offer support to communities in need.  2011 was the inaugural trip and this is now an annual immersion on the College calendar. The trip runs for approximately ten days, part of which is during school holidays and features a visit to the Bakhita Centre, the Dominican Orphanage and our sister school in Hatolia, San Francisco Xavier College. 

The experience is always well supported by the local school, parish and Mount Gambier community.  Not only does the group take monetary donations with them, but prior to the trip, many items are collected from students, staff and community members.  Items include stationery, musical instruments and clothing.

The immersion is a rich experience for students, who come away feeling blessed to witness the joy and gratitude from the people they meet and the communities to whom they give.  They are provided with opportunities to see the world through the eyes of mission and justice and experience first-hand the life changing work of the Catholic Church through many examples of faith in action.
For more information contact Trip Coordinator, Bernadette Fisher fishb@tenison.catholic.edu.au

Next tour, 13-27 September 2025   

China is an ancient, mysterious and beautiful land. As the third largest country in the world occupying an area of 9,600,000 square kilometres, it boasts an abundance of natural wonders and cultural attractions. 

Tenison Woods College has been sending student tours to China since 2007.  After a short break due to COVID restrictions, our students will once again immerse themselves in this wonderful culturally rich country. The tour visits our sister school in Shouguang, Shandong, which is the sister state of South Australia in China, where students will spend time in the Chinese school and homes. Students will also visit major cultural and historical centres in China, including Xi’an, Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Shanghai, visiting museums and participating in local cultural activities. 

For more information contact Trip Coordinator, Lester Chen chenl@tenison.catholic.edu.au

Next tour, 25 September-9 October 2025

The Italian Cultural Exchange is a cultural immersion program that has been in place at Tenison Woods College since 2004.  It aims to provide students with a meaningful overseas experience, immersing the students in a school environment for 10 days, living with a host family, visiting places of geographical, historical, artistic and cultural significance. 

This cultural immersion tour offers students a unique opportunity to explore central and northern Italy through the lens of Italian language and culture. The program combines visits to iconic cities with a blend of guided tours, hands-on workshops, and authentic cultural experiences. A key highlight of the tour is a three-day exchange at an Italian school, where students build meaningful connections and friendships with their Italian peers. This experience not only enhances their linguistic and cultural understanding but also opens potential pathways for future educational exchanges in Italy.

For more information contact Trip Coordinator, Giovanni Calandro (calag@tenison.catholic.edu.au)

Next tour, 29 November-22 December 2025

The Titans USA Basketball Tour has been running biennially since 2005 and continues to build on the foundations of previous trips that experience US culture, competition, schooling, hospitality and not least of all, life-long memories.

The tour typically runs during late November/December for approximately three weeks, touring the west coast of the United States of America, taking in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland and Hawaii, as well as a snow experience in Vancouver, Canada.

Students will play basketball against various high school teams, immerse themselves in the homestay experiences, while also enjoying sight-seeing which could include Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, Disneyland, California Adventure Park, Universal Studios, and finish the trip with three days in Hawaii.

Students will also experience the thrills of an NBA game, College basketball games, ice hockey, NFL game, College tour and an authentic luau.
 

For more information contact Tour Coordinator, Ciaran Buckley buckc@tenison.catholic.edu.au

Next tour,  April 2026 - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NOW OPEN

Tenison Woods College has had a long association with Japan, having welcomed visits from the country’s Calvary English School, for over 30 years. These visits have enriched our community, allowing students and families to interact and learn more about the Japanese culture.

Building on this, in 2017, the College decided to expand the relationship with the Calvary English School, by offering a study tour to Japan.  Students, teachers and parents experienced a 14-day inaugural study tour, visiting Tokyo, Shirakawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka.  

The Japan trip is now a biennial event on the College calendar, held every second year around April. 
For more information please email japan2026@tenison.catholic.edu.au
 

Next tour, September 2026 - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NOW OPEN

2026 will see the inaugural Performing Arts Tour, with students set to enjoy two weeks in Los Angeles and New York City.

Students will participate in a series of specialised performing arts workshops on Broadway, in Los Angeles, and possibly Disneyland, while also enjoying the famous landmarks of New York City and Los Angeles.

Travellers will also visit Disneyland and Universal Studios, walk along the world famous Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach, marvel at the wonders of the universe at Griffith Observatory, participate in a “Make a Movie” Workshop, explore the Natural History and Guggenheim Museums, and enjoy the magnificence of TWO Broadway shows.

For more information contact Tour Coordinator, Mel Van Zyl vanzm@tenison.catholic.edu.au

Next tour, 28 June-12 July 2026 - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NOW OPEN

2026 will see our first Tenison Woods College Netball Tour to New Zealand, building on the foundations of previous international sporting trips.
The two-week tour is an exciting experience for participants as they take part in a sight-seeing, cultural and netball immersion tour around the North Island of New Zealand.
In what will be the inaugural tour, students will play netball against various high school teams (including homestays), while also enjoying immersion experiences including: Marae Experience – Maori Meeting Grounds; Rotorua – luge rides, skyline, hot thermal pools; Tamaki Maori Village Hangi & Cultural Experience; Hobbiton Movie Set; Agrodome – unique New Zealand farm experience; Snowplanet for a snow experience; and sightseeing.
For more information contact Tour Coordinator, Ciaran Buckley buckc@tenison.catholic.edu.au
 

Please note that the cost of these trips is additional to school fees.  School fees must be up to date or maintained appropriately in conjunction with trip payments.

Any concerns with this can be referred to the Business Manager directly, Neal Turley turln@tenison.catholic.edu.au, or call (08) 8725 5455.