ENRICHING EXPERIENCES & LASTING MEMORIES: A look back at our Secondary residential trips

2023 has already been packed with excitement for our Secondary students, who enjoyed a range of cultural experiences, adventures and challenges in provinces right across Vietnam.

Residential trips play an important role in giving our students a wellrounded education. They compliment academic learning by helping students develop self-confidence, enjoy new experiences, and build lasting friendships. Let's take a look back at the exciting residential trips of Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. Our Year 11 will go on their residential later during the year.

Year 7 - Mai Chau

Year 7 students travelled to rural Mai Chau, where they headed straight to a local village to start exploring nature. They took part in a special scavenger hunt, which saw them challenged to find various objects and creatures - including a grasshopper and a stink bug! They also took the opportunity to photograph the vast rice fields of Mai Chau.

On the second day, the students went on a hike, taking on a challenging muddy road. They spent the rest of the afternoon at their homestay house, where they played card games, shared stories and made new friends. Finally, students faced their fears to reach the top of the wall as part of a rock climbing activity.

Emily Brawn Performing Arts Teacher Head of Year 7

Year 8 - Cat Ba

Year 8 students experienced an action-packed yet educational adventure on Cat Ba island.

Over the course of four days, they ventured through the vast island and participated in various activities to help them develop both socially and as individuals. A key aim of the trip was to help students develop three major attributes; Risk-taking, Resilience and Gratitude.

To fulfil all these criteria during the trip, the students took part in activities such as rock climbing, cycling, beach cleaning, kayaking and raft building. Our Year 8s showed great resilience throughout the trip, breaking through their limits no matter how new or scary the activities were.

The trip to Cat Ba was a refreshing start to the new term - and the year - with new experiences setting a positive mindset moving forward!

Sarah Macdonald Performing Arts Teacher Head of Year

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Year 9 - Phong Nha Ke Bang

Year 9 students travelled over 450 km to reach Phong Nha Ke Bang in Quang Binh province! They experienced some of the natural wonder of Vietnam by exploring the immense Phong Nha Cave, before tasting some local cuisine. The students enjoyed a wide range of activities in which they discovered the cultural patterns of the region, as well as made lasting friendships and memories with their peers.

Nathan Royters

English Teacher

Head of Year 9

Year 10 - Da Lat

Year 10 students had a fantastic trip to Da Lat, which encompassed community service, camping, and teambuilding activities.

On Day 1, they learned Sign Language at Lam Dong Hearing Impaired School and donated three large bags filled with goodies to the children. Later that night, they returned to the campsite and enjoyed delicious toasted marshmallows.

Days 2 and 3 were all about nature and the outdoors, with students building and testing their own rafts, abseiling down a mountain, and visiting Van Thanh Flower Garden.

The fantastic weather helped keep the energy and excitement up right through to the end of the trip.

Liam Wrigh

Geography Teacher

Head of Year 10

Year 12 - Mai Chau

Our Year 12 students also travelled to Mai Chau, where they had the chance to enjoy the fresh air and breathtaking scenery.

The students also worked incredibly hard by getting stuck-in to community service activities. They collaborated with local farmers and helped with the construction of a new road that will link several villages.

Our Year 12s were able to celebrate a job well done - and it was a fantastic opportunity for them to spend time together enjoying the adventure as well as achieving great things.

Victoria Embling History Teacher CAS Coordinator