Secondary Trips 2024-25

JESS Secondary trips

Year 7 Residential

Year 8 Residential

Barcelona Trip

Verbier Ski Trip

France Trip - Paris & Normandy

Year 9 Residential

Netball Trip - Loughborough

Abu Dhabi Netball Camp

Rosslyn Park Rugby Trip

Rugby Camp to Sri Lanka

Asian Open Aquatics Swimming trip

Football Trip to Doha

Kenya Trip Year 9

DT & Business Studies Japan Trip Year 12 Vietnam Trip

Welcome!

At JESS students are encouraged to take advantage of the many residential trips that are on offer that aim to stimulate and broaden student experience.

Our residential programmes are based around our school’s core values. Each trip has a outcome, that is seen as contributing to the student’s development and learning.

The following information outlines each trip on offer; the approximate cost – this may alter due to flight costs and the number of students opting for the trip, proposed date of the trip, trip leader, year groups that the trip is open to and if the trip is on an invitation only basis.

No further residential trips will be offered this year. We hope that this early information will help you to plan with your child.

From next week expression of interest letters will start to be shared with the students. Please complete any requested information. Once we have an idea of the number of students who may go on a trip, the trip leader will then be instructed to proceed organising and sending letters requesting deposits.

This is especially true of those trips which will take place in the first term and during the first half of term 2. If a trip does not have enough interest it will not proceed.

If you require any further information please contact the relevant trip leader directly.

Adventures are the best way to learn

Year 7 Residential

KHORFAKKAN

We are teaming up with North Star, who we work with for our Bronze, Silver and Gold International Award trips.

Students will be taking part a whole host of activities.

Please click on this link: (LINK) to see some of what they will be doing.

There is also a floating activity park that students will be using.

Core Value: Care, Excellence, Integrity, Commitment

Year group: Year 7

Dates: 13th to 15th January 2025

Duration: 2 nights/3 days

Cost: 2230AED

Trip leaders: TBC

Trip itinerary includes:

*Kayaking * Raft building *Snorkeling *Trebuchet Building *Team Building *Wilderness Survival *Evening Campfires and more

Year 7 Residential

Year 8 Residential

We are very pleased to announce that this 2-night camp will take place on from Monday 13th – Wednesday 15th January 2025. We are teaming up with North Star, who we work with for our Bronze, Silver and Gold International Award trips.

Students will be taking part a whole host of activities.

Please click on this link: LINK to see some of what they will be doing.

There is also a floating activity park that students will be using.

Core Value: Commitment, Curiosity, Care Year groups: Year 8

Dates:

13th to 15th Jan 2025

Duration: 2 nights/3 days

Cost: 2230AED estimated cost TBC

Trip leaders: Tijani Souaissi tsouaissi@jess.sch.ae

Year 8 Residential cont.

Barcelona

SPAIN

Barcelona

Visiting this area of Spain will give JESS students the opportunity to practise their language skills, explore exciting cities and try delicious Spanish cuisine.

Furthermore, we will be visiting a school where students will attend classes with Spanish students of their own age The trip will be action-packed with lots of interesting and engaging activities for the students.

Outline:

Stay in the coastal village of Tossa de Mar 2 days in Barcelona – flamenco show, tapas tasting at the Pueblo Espanyol, walk the Ramblas, museum visit, Olympic Park, Camp Nou football stadium, Sagrada Familia, Montjiuc and Teleferic trip.

CosmoCaixa

Spanish language class

Beach time

PortAventura adventure park

¡VAMOS CHICOS!

Core Value: Curiosity, Commitment Year groups: 7- 8

Dates: 20th to 27th June 2025

Duration: 1 week

Cost: Approximately 9,000AED. 25 max first come, first served

Trip leaders: Rhys Jones rhysjones@jess.sch.ae

Barcelona

JESS Ski Trip

SWITZERLAND

At the World Ski Awards in 2022 Verbier was voted The World's Best Ski Resort! Not only is there a vast range of slopes, with long blue runs for beginners to dramatic black runs for advanced skiers, but there is also amazing infrastructure, with fast lifts, and safety regulations of the highest standard.

The trip includes six days skiing or snowboarding with qualified instructors. The students will stay in a chalet with ensuite rooms for 4 to 6 people with easy access to the slopes.

Breakfast, a hot meal up on the slopes, a snack on return with hot drinks and an evening meal will be provided every day.

To keep the students entertained there will be supervised evening activities such as a torchlight walk, ice skating, a disco and various games. Other highlights are the ski race and the BBQ on the last day

JESS have enjoyed a great relationship with Les Elfes, the ski company in Verbier, for over 10 years and the quality of service they provide is second to none. This year we will be staying in the La Tzoumaz campus, where excellent access to beginner slopes is available, but also easy access to the vast 4 valleez.

Core Value: Commitment, Respect, Excellence

Year group: Year 8 - 10

Dates: 11th January to 18th January 2025

Duration: 7 days

Cost: Approx 13,000AED

Trip leaders: Andy Thom andrewthom@jess.sch.ae

Verbier Ski trip

France trip

PARIS & NORMANDY

An excellent opportunity to enhance understanding of French and History firsthand, to broaden cultural and social perspectives and experience life in one of Europe’s major capital cities.

The tour will provide the students at JESS with an opportunity to visit first-hand many of the historical sites such as Bayeux, Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, the Caen Peace Museum, and the Arromanches Invasion Museum.

In addition, they will have the opportunity to visit up-close some of the world’s most iconic buildings such as the basilica of Sacré Coeur, Notre Dame Cathedral, Palace of Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe and, of course, the Eiffel Tower.

We will also spend a fun packed day in Disneyland Paris and visit a farm in Normandy.

Core Value: Curiosity

Year group: Years 7 to 9

Dates: 19th June to 26th June 2025

Duration: 8 days

Cost: Approx 10,000 AED

Trip leaders: Ben Gale BGale@jess.sch.ae

France trip

PARIS & NORMANDY

Year 9 Residential

For Year 9 students not going to Kenya, they will be spending two nights with the Sand Sherpa's. Students will have the opportunity to further develop their Outdoor Adventure skills whilst experiencing, up close, the beautiful landscape of the desert.

The focus is to provide more challenge in the activities than they experienced in Year 7 and Year 8

This is in preparation for the challenges students will face in their International Award expedition.

Students will be challenged as they take part in:

Navigating and Hiking

Survival skills / open fire cooking

Camping

Falconry experience

Team building and time with friends

Core Value:

Commitment, Curiosity, Care

Year group: Year 9

Dates:

Duration: 3 days/2 nights

Enrichment Week Jan 2025

Duration: 2 nights/3 days

Cost: Approx 1600AED

Trip leaders: Graham Black gblack@jess.sch.ae

Netball trip 2025

LOUGHBOROUGH

Following the success of the Netball World School Games in June 2022 we are delighted to announce that JESS will be returning to compete in the U13, U15 and U17 category in the competition in June 2025 (final dates TBC).

The tournament will be based at the prestigious Loughborough University, UK where selected students in each age group will be competing against top UK and International Schools.

Core Value: Care, Commitment, Integrity

Year group:

U13, U15 and U17 netball teams compete in the World school games in Loughborough

Dates: 24th to 30th June 2025

Duration: 6 days

Cost: Approximately 10,000AED

Trip leaders: Rachel Tuckey rtuckey@jess.sch.ae

Abu Dhabi Netball camp

ABU DHABI

Selected students will be invited from Year 8 - 13 to attend the camp.

The weekend camp will consist of; fitness, skill development, positional workshops, netball analysis and matchplay against Capital Netball Club.

The aim of the camp is to ensure teams are ready for upcoming major tournaments in Term 1 including BSAK, DC 7s and Dubai 7s.

Core Value: Excellence

Year group: Year 8 to 13

Dates: 4th October to 6th October 2024

Duration: 2 nights

Cost: Approximately 1,250AED

Trip leaders: Rachel Tuckey rtuckey@jess.sch.ae

Rosslyn Park Rugby Trip 2025

Following our numerous successful campaigns, the rugby club is planning to compete once more in the National Rosslyn Park 7s Festival, with the U14 and U16 (boys) in March 2025.

With a touring party of 24 students, this will be an exciting opportunity for our students to play against leading schools from the UK and further afield.

They will experience different styles of play that will challenge and develop their own match play. During the tour several excursions will be organised around London once the schedule has been confirmed.

Core Value: Respect, Excellence, Commitment

Year group:

Learning Objective:

U14s and U16s. Boys only

To provide the opportunity for our students to challenge themselves against some of the leading schools in the UK, whilst gaining the invaluable experience of touring as a sports team

Dates: 23rd March to 28th March 2025

Duration: 5 days

Cost: 12,000AED Approx

Trip leaders: Alex Glashan Aglashan@jess.sch.ae

Rosslyn Park Rugby trip cont.

Rugby Trip to Sri Lanka

In the search for a unique, high performance experience, the rugby club is planning to carry out a pre-season styled training camp in challenging conditions as the Blue's strive to refine their skillset and enhance their levels of conditioning, whilst strengthening their team culture.

A touring party of 18 students will be selected from years 11, 12 and 13 and will travel to Sri Lanka for an intensive training camp and three fixtures against top, local schools.

They will gain valuable experience being challenged by different styles of play and develop their own match play. During the tour there will also be a number of excursions organized to expose them to the local community and culture.

Core Value: Respect, Excellence, Commitment

Learning Objective:

The aim of the trip is to test the students physically and mentally in order to challenge their resilience and adaptability as we prepare for the season ahead and begin the run-in to the Dubai 7s.

Year group: Selected players in Years 11-13.

Dates: 10th October to 16th October 2024

Duration: 6 days

Cost: 9,000AED Approx

Trip leaders: Alex Glashan

Rugby trip to Sri Lanka

Asian Open Aquatics CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Asian Open School Invitational Aquatics Championships presents a unique opportunity for students in Year 7, 8, 9, and 10 to showcase their swimming talents on an international stage.

Not only will participants have the chance to compete for qualification times for national championships, but they'll also experience the thrill of racing against students from across Asia.

This two-day camp and three-day racing event will be a fantastic opportunity for fast swimming and teambuilding

Objectives:

1.Provide students with the opportunity to compete internationally in a prestigious swimming event.

2.Enable students to achieve qualification times for national championships.

3.Foster teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal development through competitive swimming.

4 Offer cultural and educational excursions to enrich the overall experience

Core Value: Respect, Excellence, Commitment

Year group: Year 7 to 10

Dates: 2nd February to 7th February 2025

Duration: 6 Days

Cost:

Trip leaders:

Football Trip 2025

Following the success of last season and in order to prepare for 2024 25, the Blues and under 16 football teams are heading to Doha, Qatar for their preseason training camps Doha is becoming an increasingly popular destination and provides teams with an opportunity for international exposure and valuable preparation for the upcoming season.

The trip, centred around the state-of-the-art Aspire facility, will benefit the squads with access to world-class training facilities By immersing themselves in a high-performance environment, the players will have the opportunity to elevate their game to new heights through refining skill sets and enhance their physical conditioning

Valuable time will be spent on refining tactical strategies, formations, and playing styles. Players have the chance to familiarise themselves with their roles and responsibilities within the team structure. The preseason matches will also provide an opportunity to test new tactics, formations, and player combinations This evaluation will inform team selection and individual development plans for the season ahead.

In order to build momentum ahead of the season the trip serves as a bonding experience for the teams. These experiences will not only strengthen the team's unity but also provide invaluable insights into their strengths and areas for improvement

This environment fosters team bonding and camaraderie, essential for building trust and cohesion among players.

Dates: 27th to 29th September 2024 Duration: 2 nights Cost:

Football Trip 2025 DOHA

Conservation&Philanthropic

KENYATRIP

Jambo!

Our Year 9 trip is an amazing opportunity for our students to step out of their comfort zone and explore the wonderful communities and landscapes of eastern Kenya.

Working with Camps International, based in Dubai, and their team on the ground in East Tsavo, students will be involved in a range of projects and activities with the UN Sustainable Development Goals at their core

Itinerary highlights include:

- Cultural introduction to rural Kenya with practise of Swahili phrases

- Hands on Community Project work in local schools to help improve school facilities and infrastructure

- A focus on human-wildlife conflict through the installation of elephant deterrent fencing

- A visit to the Tumaini Women's Group to see how the empowerment of women in the local area is having a positive impact within the community

- Safari in Tsavo East National Park (our cohort this year saw lions, elephants, giraffe, zebra, warthogs, gazelles and more)

KENYA TRIP SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day Activities

Day 1 Arrive at Mombasa

Day 2 Project Orientation

Day 3 -4 School Project work

Day 5

Day 6

Marungu Hills Eco Trek

Elephant projects and Tumaini

Women’s Group

Day 7 Tsavo East Safari

Day 8 Departure

More details

Upon arrival at Mombasa Airport, you'll be met by a member of our Camps crew before taking the 3-4 hour journey to our flagship campCamp Tsavo Here you will be warmly welcomed by our Camp Manager who will run a camp safety briefing and orientation of the camp Our project leader will give you an overview of what your time here will involve and you will practise some Swahili phrases around the campfire

After a good night's sleep and tasty breakfast, our project leaders will take you to visit our various project sites. You will gain an understanding of the issues you will be helping to tackle through your project work and we'll establish your goals and objectives.

Today you will commence your project work at the local school where you will be helping to improve school facilities and infrastructure Your work could include building classrooms or toilets, making desks or erecting gabions to counteract soil erosion which threatens the school buildings. You'll be interacting with local people and school children every day, giving you a chance to practice newly learnt Swahili phrases, as well as supporting teachers to improve English speaking in the local schools.

Wake up well rested and after breakfast set coordinates for Marungu Hills. This eco trek not only treats you to stunning African scenery it gives you the chance to learn about the deep historical value of the hills and the importance of its indigenous trees and forestry. Worked up an appetite? Enjoy a picnic with a twist as you lunch nestled within the historic caves. After lunch try your hand at some essential bush survival skills under the guidance of our local expert. On return to camp the evening is yours to relax.

Human-wildlife conflict is a big problem in Africa and today you will learn about the most effective ways the community is looking to combat this. Working alongside local people you will help them make elephant deterrent fences This is a method regarded by the locals as the best way to deter elephants from their farms without harming the animals You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in an educational environmental workshop, making paper out of elephant dung to bring a source of income to the community In the afternoon you’ll spend time with the Tumaini Women’s group – an inspiring group that empowers local women who suffer from gender-based poverty, violence, illiteracy and health issues, by helping them with alternative income-generation activities You’ll be learning to make bead crafts for the group which can be sold to generate income

After an early breakfast at camp, you will embark on your Big Game Safari in Tsavo East National Park – home to a variety of wildlife which includes lions, elephants, birds, zebra and giraffe to name a few This is sure to be a day to remember!

Say your goodbyes to the Camp Kenya team as you transfer to the airport ready for your flight home

Core Value: Care, Integrity, Respect

Year group: Year 9

Dates: Friday 10th January to Saturday 18th January 2025

Duration: 8 days

Cost: Approx 13,000AED

Trip leaders: Stephen Lee slee@jess.sch.ae

Testimonials from Students from Feb 2023 trip:

A - I really enjoyed meeting all the kids and seeing how they live on a daily basis I also loved helping to paint the schools so that the children have a nice new place to learn. I also loved speaking to people that I would not normally speak to in our year. The whole trip altogether was an amazing experience and it has really taught me to have an open mind and realise that some people aren't as privileged as us and we should help them in any way possible

G - This trip was one of the most fun trips I have ever been on. I strongly recommend everyone to go to Kenya, there were many moments on this trip that I will never forget.

K - Having loads of fun with friends and exploring the Kenyan lifestyle through food, talking, and learning from Kenyan elders and children

S - Playing tag with the children and having proper conversations with them because they learn English in school.

KENYATRIP

Kenya Impact Expedition:

COMMUNITY AND SAFARI

TheHeartof Africa

BEATSINKENYA

Japan Trip

JESS has an exciting trip to the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in Japan to gain a deeper understanding of how the business world operates in the East.

The trip will run from Thursday 6th February to Thursday 13th February 2024. This trip has been designed to give students a comprehensive overview of this fascinating country, in particular its advancement in technology, its rich business culture and the outlook of its people.

Highlights of this trip will include a thorough exploration of vibrant Tokyo, a visit to Tsukuba Space Centre, a visit to Toyota to explore modern manufacturing techniques as well as one of the 20 ‘Future Cities’ to investigate the Negative Gas Emissions Communities.

The trip will also include a journey on the famous bullet train to a cycle tour of the beautiful city of Kyoto to learn of the Kyoto protocol, then onto Osaka where we will explore the integrated futuristic infrastructure

This is a fantastic opportunity for students not only to develop and enhance their learning of Business and Economics but also to allow them to broaden their appreciation of the cultural setting of one of the most dynamic and significant countries today.

Core Value: Curiosity

Year group: Year 10 aimed at Business And Economics students

Dates: Thursday 6th Feb to 13th February 2025

Duration: 1 week

Cost: 14,500AED Approx

Trip

leaders: Rachel Malone/Julia Richardson

Japan Trip

The cost for the visit will be approximately 14,500 AED (This depends on the prevailing exchange rates as well as uptake of students for the visit: the more students that come, the cheaper the costs will be

We will of course inform you of the final cost as soon as numbers are confirmed). This cost includes flights, taxes, insurance, B&B hotel accommodation in each city, evening meals in restaurants in each city, coach transfers within each city and all the activities below:

Guided tour Tsukuba Space Centre

Sightseeing tour by private bus of Tokyo

Visit the Toyota factory to see the state of the art automated production techniques in practice

Visit the Toyota Kaikan Museum to learn Toyota's innovations in motor vehicle technology: hybrid, driverless and environmentally friendly cars.

Journey by Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Kyoto

Walking and cycling tour around Kyoto

Attend a Sumo Wrestling match

Visit the Miyako Ecology Centre to learn of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol

Trek along the slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains

Visit the Kinkaku-ji Temple in Osaka

Sushi Cooking Lesson

Overnight stay in traditional Royokan and dinner dressed in Japanese attire

Kyoto protocol impacts study and visit to government environmental agency

Please note the full itinerary of the trip will be confirmed in December 2024 yet will include the above as well as other activities to enhance the aims of the trip.

Japan Trip

Year 12 Vietnam Trip

JESS Vietnam is widely regarded as a standout experience for individuals within the JESS community, often cited as a significant highlight of their time at the school.

It embodies the core values cherished by the community and is considered a rite of passage for many during their time at JESS. This video created by Alison King (Class of 2024) beautifully captures the essence of this extraordinary trip.

Vietnam beckons as a captivating adventure waiting to unfold. This rapidly evolving country exudes vitality, with its spirited people brimming with captivating tales. Blessed with majestic mountains, pristine national parks, vibrant urban centres, a rich cultural heritage, and delectable cuisine, Vietnam offers a tapestry of wonders.

One such marvel is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, which is steeped in history and pulsates with an irresistible blend of energy, commerce, and culture. Students visiting Ho Chi Minh City will have the chance to delve into the poignant past at the War Remnants Museum, explore the intricate Củ Chi Tunnels, and immerse themselves in the lively markets bustling with irresistible souvenirs

Vietnam trip

Nestled amidst the enchanting hills of the South, Dalat becomes the perfect base for an exhilarating four-day escapade. Students will embark on a thrilling journey of mountain biking, abseiling, and trekking, traversing dense forests and ascending majestic mountains, all while working on their Group 4 project for the International Baccalaureate (IB). In this immersive experience, students will test their self-reliance as they camp under the stars and master the art of cooking in the wilderness.

This leg of the trip holds particular significance for our Gold International Award students, as it presents an opportunity to fulfil their assessed adventurous journey, which accounts for 20% of the prestigious Award.

Meanwhile, those not pursuing the Gold Award will still have their fair share of adventure. They will partake in a day of trekking and camping alongside their friends, creating lasting memories. Over the course of days 2-4, these students will engage in a diverse range of activities, including canyoning, mastering the art of preparing local Vietnamese cuisine, and participating in marina-based pursuits on the captivating east coast of Vietnam (subject to confirmation).

One of the most personally significant moments of the trip is witnessing the transformative impact Year 12 students have on the living standards of impoverished communities through our house-building project.

Amid serene landscapes adorned with lush green fields, rice paddies, and quaint villages, these students will immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Vietnamese culture while forging deep emotional connections with the families they assist. Over the course of the trip, we aim to construct three to four houses for the most disadvantaged members of these communities, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion and support.

Through JESS's efforts, we have already constructed an impressive 37 houses for families in the Mekong Delta and Mai Chau, and we aspire to add to this remarkable feat next January. This aspect of the JESS Vietnam trip is both extraordinary and rewarding, as it allows students to experience the intrinsic satisfaction that comes from selfless acts of kindness.

Witnessing the sheer delight and gratitude of families within these communities is a profoundly humbling experience, to say the least. Emotions run high when the completed homes are handed over, often resulting in tears of joy and gratitude.

This year, we return to the southern region of the country, specifically the Mekong Delta, where students will collaborate in constructing sturdy brick homes for local families, furthering our commitment to making a meaningful difference in their lives.

Vietnam cont.

Core Value: Respect, Care, Commitment, Excellence, Integrity, Curiosity

Year group: Year 12

Dates: 8th to 18th January 2025

Duration: 11 days

Cost: Cost: Approx 12,500AED

Trip leaders: Jennie Burke Sattawat Sonsin

Jburke@jess.sch.ae Ssonsin@jess.sch.ae

The Vietnam trip presents students with exceptional prospects to fulfil the requirements of both CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) and the Gold International Award.

The trip cost encompasses various essential components, including round-trip direct flights, taxes, insurance, hotel accommodation, meals, and the expenses associated with building the houses.

In addition, students pursuing the Gold International Award will have an additional obligation to complete the practice expedition in November, which will amount to approximately 600 AED