SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Several trips are in the works for students at St. Patrick High School, though some are waiting on approval from the Yellowknife Catholic School board.

The board discussed the trips during a meeting on April 21, and will be approving or disallowing them at its next meeting.

A trip that had already been approved last school-year to Spain and France will be taken by French immersion students in the Yellowknife Catholic School district next year from March 3 to March 12.

Superintendent Claudia Parker said one trip in particular, to South Africa, is being requested by the high school Interact Club, which focuses on charity and philanthropy at home and abroad.

"Part of their mandate as an Interact Club is that they must do service projects - one in community, and one that is international," said Parker.

She said the Interact Club plans to do volunteer work, as well as some more tourist-oriented activities.

The details of the trip have not been completely worked out yet, but Parker said she has been to some of the locations in South Africa the club was considering, and a school the club may connect with while its there.

Trustee Rose-Marie Jackson asked Parker if she thought it would be safe for the students to go to.

Parker said South Africa is safe "if you have the proper safety guidelines, proper chaperoned ratio."

"My role as superintendent is to make sure groups have those safety guidelines in place," said Parker.

Another trip that was on the table at the meeting was a possible visit to Ireland next year, open to all St. Patrick High School students.

Jackson asked if there were any ties to curriculum for the trip.

"I can see with Spain and France there would be, because they'd be practicing the languages," said Jackson.

Trustee Simon Taylor said the trip could be useful in a spiritual sense.

"Ireland is one of the key areas in Europe that sustained Christianity during the Middle Ages," said Taylor.

Parker said she would have more detailed information on the trips at the next meeting, where they will be voted on.