SARAWAK
For over twenty years, the Year 6 trip to Sarawak hasbeenahallmarkmomentinthejourneyofour Junior School students at Tanglin. The exciting itinerarypromisesanimmersiveexperience,where students explore the natural wonders of Borneo whilstalsoengagingwithitsrichculturalheritage.
From staying in an Iban longhouse, to encountering orangutans and visiting thestunningBakoNationalPark,thejourneyoffersauniqueexperienceforour students, with every element carefully considered. Our well-established relationship with our touring operator, ‘Borneo Bob’ and his team ensures the tripisthoroughlyplanned,withsafetyasatoppriority.
The trip also provides a valuable opportunity for children to develop independence,buildingself-relianceandproblem-solvingskills,supportedby our experienced staff, many of whom have both led and supported this trip before Borneoisindeedhometoancientforests,avastarrayofplantandanimallife, and diverse cultures, but it is also home to many fond memories of past Tanglin children. We look forward to making more with this year’s Year 6 cohort!
STAFF TEAM
SupportingStaff
MalaysiaDigitalArrivalCard(MDAC)
The Immigration Department of Malaysia requires foreign nationals to fill out the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) at least three days before they arrive in Malaysia. Therefore, we kindly request that parents of Trip 1 who fall under this category complete the form by Sunday12 April and parentsofTrip2completetheformbySunday19 April,viathefollowing link:https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main.
Please send a copy of your approved Malaysian Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) to outdooreducation@tts.edu.sg no later than the day before departure.
FLIGHTS & IMMIGRATION
AirportReleaseForm
Please complete THIS FORM to arrange your child's collection from Changi Airport. When collecting your child, please check in with their teacher before leaving the arrivals area so they can return your child's passportandFINcardtoyou.
CollectionofTravelDocuments
Please submit your child's Passport and FIN card / Re-entry Permit on Monday,13thApril2026(Group1)andTuesday,14thApril2026(Group2)
. *Due to the fact that Group 1 will be travelling straight after the Easter holiday, they will need to bring their passports to the classroom on the dayoftravel.
HILTON
ROOMS
The children will be placed in rooms of two or three. Class teachers will share rooming arrangements with the children on the day of departure, ensuring they are grouped with classmates they know and get on well with All rooms will be located together along one corridor, which the hotel has allocated exclusively for our group Staff will be positioned throughout the corridor, between and around the children’s rooms, to supportthechildren.Theroomsdonothavebalconies,andallwindows arelockedandcheckedbystaff.Minifridgeswillbeclearedandlocked, andTVremoteswillberemovedfromallrooms.
SECURITY
When we arrive at the hotel, the hotel staff will deliver a fire safety briefing, and evacuation points will be clearly explained. Once in their rooms,childrenarenotpermittedtoleave.Theywillbeintroducedtothe ‘Tanglinknock’andinstructednottoopentheirdoorsunlesstheyhearit, and to always ask who is there before opening Room numbers for staff and the nurse will be shared with students, and they will be asked to keep these by the phone. Students are already familiar with these processesfollowingtheirtriptoMalacca.
Our itinerary is carefully designed to balance challenge and enjoyment with a strong focus on safety. ‘Borneo Bob’ and his team bring many years of experience running school trips, with these activities forming a well-established part of the Sarawakprogramme.
WIND CAVE
WindCaveisafascinatinglimestonecavenearBau,aroundanhour’sdrivefrom Kuching.PartoftheWindCaveNatureReserve,itisknownforthecoolbreezethat flowsthroughitscaverns,givingititsname.Thecavefeaturesanetworkofdark tunnels with unique rock formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, as well as fossils embedded in the limestone walls Children will explore along boardedwalkways,usingheadtorchesastheysearchforfossils
ORANGUTANS
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre is an orangutan sanctuary and nature reserve, offering the chance to observe semi-wild orangutans up close. A long-standing part of the itinerary, it gives children the opportunity to see these remarkable animalswhilelearningaboutthecentre’sconservationwork Thevisitistimedto coincide with feeding, and once the orangutans are spotted, a park ranger will deliverashorttalkandsafetybriefingbeforeguidingthechildrenalongajungle pathtothefeedingarea.
BAKO NATIONAL PARK
With its rainforest, abundant wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls, secluded beaches and trekking trails, Bako National Park offers the children an excellent introduction to the rainforest of Borneo Few places in the world contain such naturaldiversitywithinarelativelysmallarea. Thechildrenwilltakeashortbutmemorableboatjourneytotheisland,enjoying views of the coastline along the way. Once there, they will take part in a guided trek, learning about the local wildlife, particularly the proboscis monkeys After lunch,therewillbeanopportunitytotakepartinsomesupervisedgamesonthe beach.
BORNEO CULTURES MUSEUM
Borneo Cultures Museum is one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most impressivemuseums.Itsthoughtfullycuratedgalleries,interactivedisplaysand extensive artefact collections provide a safe and inspiring environment for the childrentoexploreandlearn.Duringtheirvisit,thechildrenwillalsotakepartin a guided wildlife art workshop, where they will develop creative techniques whilerespondingtothenaturalworldaroundthem
KAYAKING
Operating since 1990, Permai Rainforest Resort is a unique place with undisturbednaturalbeauty.Theprivatebeach,calmwaters,lifevests,certified instructors and safety boat make this a fun and safe venue for the children to enjoy. The children will take part in some fun games as well as being given techniquestoprogresstheirkayakingskills Amemberofstaffwillalsostayon shoretoaccompanyanychildrenfeelinglessconfidentabouttakingpart
Knownasoneofthecountry’sleadingheritageexperiencesites,thevillageoffersarichinsightintotheculture, lifestyle and history of the region’s diverse tribes The grounds feature seven traditional longhouses, each with authenticactivitiesforthechildrentoexperience Thereisalsoatheatreshow,giftshopsanddisplaysdedicated tolearningaboutthecustoms,lifestylesandarchitectureofSarawak’shistoricalcommunities
In the evening, the children will take part in a dance and games, followed by time to visit the gift shop to purchase something for themselves or family and friends As shared at the parent information evenings, boys and girls will sleep separately, with staff close by and easily accessible at all times Bathroom facilities are available, with mosquito nets for each mattress and plenty of fans, providing an authentic yet comfortable experienceoftheIbanTribe’slivingquarters
Inthemorning,thechildrenwillhavebreakfastonthelargefrontbalcony,surroundedbybeautifulscenery
Forallmeals,includingthosetakenoutsideofthehotel,thechildrenwillbeabletochoosefroma variedselectionofdishes.Wewillemphasisetheimportanceofeatinganddrinkingenoughtostay wellhydratedandmaintaintheirenergylevelsfortheday’sactivities.Drinkswillbeprovidedat everymeal,andstaffwillensurethatonlysafe,bottledwaterisconsumed.Refillstationswillalsobe availablethroughoutthedaysothatchildrencantopuptheirownwaterbottlesregularly.The cateringarrangementsdonotusepeanutoilorincludepeanutsinthemenu,andvegetarian/vegan optionswillbeavailable.
Thechildrenwillhaveaccesstoawideselectionofexcitingandnourishingfoodsduringthetrip.Meals in the hotel will be served buffet style with all all dietary requirements catered for The hotel will accommodateusintheirsmallrestaurantforprivatedining Onthefinalevening,thechildrenwillbetreatedtoagaladinnerin aconferenceroombeforetheeagerlyawaitedTanglinDisco.
Duringthedaytime,thechildrenwillbeprovidedwithahot,catered lunch Sometimesthiswillbeprovidedbythecateringteamwhowill providefreshmealsincludingpasta,burgersandhotsandwiches withplentyofchoicetoensurethereissomethingforeveryone.
Attheculturalvillage,thechildrenwillbeprovidedwith3meals: dinner,breakfastandlunch.ThesewillallbetraditionalMalaystyle, servedasabuffet,whichchildrencanhelpthemselvesto Wefind thatthereisenoughvarietyforallchildrentofillup,andthe chocolatecakeisaparticularhighlight.
Oneevening,thechildrenwillhaveamealoutatalocalrestaurant (locateddirectlyoppositethehotel).Althoughthebuffetmealis delicious(especiallythecrowdpleasingprata),thekaraokeafter dinnerhastobethemainhighlight.Thisisafabulouseveningout enjoyedbychildrenandstaffalike.
ORDER OF ACTIVITIES
EachtripwillleaveschoolonMonday.
Group A
Trip 1: 6.1, 6.5
Trip 2: 6.2, 6.4 Wind cave Cultural Village (overnight stay)
Cultural Village tour Star on Stage dinner
Group B
Trip 1: 6.3,6.8
Trip 2: 6.6, 6.7
Bako National Park Star on Stage dinner
Wind cave Cultural Village (overnight stay)
Eachtripwillhavetwogroupsmadeupoftwoclasses.Apartfromthe nighttheyspendattheCulturalVillage,allfourclasseswillbetogether forlunchandbreakfast.Therewillbeadiscoonthefinalevening altogether. Everyevening,thechildrenwillbebriefedabouttheactivitiestaking placeandwhattheyneedtopackforthefollowingday.
KIT LIST BREAKDOWN
KIT LIST BREAKDOWN
HEALTH & SAFETY
Supervision
The class teacher and two adults will accompany each class; two classes makeonegroup.Inaddition,therewillbeanextraadultandanurseattached to each group. There will also be two excellent guides per group from the SarawakTourCompanyfacilitatingthistrip.Childrenwillbeexpectedtoexhibit highlevelsofpersonalresponsibilityandbehaviour.
FirstAidKit
A comprehensive kit, together with medicines for individual children and the medicalandallergydetailsofothers,iscarriedatalltimesbyoneoftheadults accompanyingthegroup.
MedicalAttention
Twoschoolnursesandatleastonequalifiedfirstaiderwillbepresentoneach trip. Fullcommunicationswillalwaysbemaintainedbymobilephones.
If your child has a medical or dietary problem which is different from that stated on the medical form please contact your child’s class teacher. Should youwishtospeaktoaschoolnurseoryourchild'sclassteacher,ameetingwill bearranged.
HEALTH & SAFETY
IInsuranceandTripSupport
Thechildrenwillbecoveredbyacomprehensiveinsurancescheme,aswellas International SOS support, the world’s leading medical and travel security services provider. This includes 24-hour emergency assistance, airlift and repatriationcover.
In the event of an emergency, staff will contact the Duty Manager who will then contact the relevant parents immediately with details of the plan of action. If necessary, the travel agent will arrange immediate transportation back to Singapore for the child concerned and one of the accompanying adults.
IndividualMedicalSupervision
As mentioned in the Information Evenings, if your child has an EpiPen, is insulin-dependent, or has another medical condition that requires close monitoring, and you have not yet informed the school, please contact the classteacherandHealthCentreassoonaspossible.
Medications
PleasegiveallmedicationtoHealthCentreonthedayofthetrip(Trip1)ortwo workingdaysbeforetheprogrammegoesout(forTrip2).
Staffandnursesonthetripcarrytelephonenumbersof:theDutyManager,Mrs Harrington-Wilcox, Mr O’Brien, Mr Walker and Mrs Turpin and all parents of childrenonthetrip.
YouwillreceivemessagesfromtheDutyManageronceadaythroughthetrip toletyouknowhoweachdayhasgone.
In the event of an emergency, staff will contact the Duty Manager in the first instance,whowilltheninformtherelevantparentsimmediately,withdetailsof anyplanofactionputinplace.
Should you have a problem in Singapore that necessitates the return of your child or a serious emergency that requires you to make contact with the Duty Manager, who will then contact the relevant staff both at school and the trip thenpleasecontact:
+6582188665.
Whatsizesuitcaseandbackpackshouldtheybring?
Thechildrenneedtobeabletocarrytheirownsuitcase,preferablyonwheels asthisiseasier,oratleastofasizethattheycancarry.
Their daypack needs to beabitsmallerthantheirschoolbag so a standard sizeddaypackisadequate.
Thechildrenwillbeusingittocarrytheirequipmentforthenight’sstayinthe longhousethough.
Canthechildrenbringmobilephones?
Thechildrenare notallowedtobringamobilephones.
This policy aligns with our broader school ethos and is not specific to this particulartrip.
Arepoloroidordigitalcamerasallowed?
Digital and Polaroid cameras arenotallowed.While disposable cameras are permitted, they are not necessary, as teachers will be capturing plenty of photos during the trip and sharing them with parents once both groups have returnedtoSingapore.
Whatifmychildhasspecialdietaryrequirements?
Allstaffwillhaveaccesstoeachchild'smedicalrecordsandfoodpreferences. Additionally, the hotel and catering companies offer a diverse selection of foodtoaccommodatealldietaryrequirements.
ParentsshouldnotifytheirHealthCentreassoonaspossibleofanychanges.
Has my child had a chance to suggest who they would like to room with?
Yes, the children filled in a microsoft form sheet selecting four people fromtheirclassforwhichweguaranteethemonechoice.Weinformed the children we were also using this as a reference for rooms choices. However, the children’s class teachers know the children very well and haveagoodunderstandonbothwhotheywouldliketoroomwithand where the dynamics would be healthy for the trip. The children will not beinformedaboutwhotheyareinaroomwithuntilwereachthehotel.
In our experience this strategy works well and facilitates the children focussingontheexcitementoftheitineraryandexperienceinthebuild up.
risk management who support Tanglin with all school trips. There are qualified first aiders in every group who will support the nurses in cas emergencies.
CanIdropfoodoffinschoolontheMondayinsteadofsendingitinwithmy child?
If needed, this must be done by 2:30pm to avoid the end-of-day rush, and senttothejunioroffice.ParentsshouldnotcomeuptotheYear6unit.
We recommend sending children to school in the morning with their early dinner,ascommunicatedinthePIEmeetings.
In previous years, children have brought their food in the morning as usual, and it has been perfectly fine when eaten later in the afternoon. Please pack itemsthatwillnotspoileasily.
CanIorderasnackformychildattheendoftheday?
End-of-dayCCAsnackscanbeorderedontheMondayifyousowish.
Childrenmayalsobringtheirownsnacksfortheairportandflight,inlinewith schoolpolicy,sononuts.
Staff will also carry snacks, and additional food will be provided on arrival at thehotel,sochildrenwillbewellfedthroughout!
“Don’tjusttellchildrenabouttheworld,showthem!”