Y12 CAS Trip to Cambodia

Last week all of our year 12 learners embarked on their CAS expedition to Cambodia. They have been preparing for this trip for several weeks through their fundraising events, considering and planning the service projects and also developing a greater understanding of the Cambodian history and its people during their Theory of Knowledge lessons.

It was a fantastic, varied, challenging and rewarding week. Experiences included visiting some of the sites in Phnom Penh, allowing us to gain an insight into the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime. We also experienced the fabulous Cambodian cuisine and the generosity of the rural community in Kong Maha in the Kampong Cham district.

The village primary school was the focus of our service project. We were delighted to complete the concrete path to the classrooms which will allow the students to avoid trekking mud into the classrooms, especially during the monsoon season. The new basketball court was given a coat of paint and different plants were planted in the flower beds around the school which brightened up the environment for the excited students.

Some of the highlights of the trip were the relationships and interactions of the grateful students and families of Kong Maha village. It was an invaluable experience for all involved. Many memories and friendships were made and lots of lessons learnt.

Ms Joanna Bevan, CAS Coordinator

Y7 Humanities Trip to Bukit Timah

\Year 7 have been learning about rainforests in their Humanities lessons. They have been finding out about the different features of rainforests and the remarkable ways plants and animals adapt to living there. On Tuesday we took our Year 7 learners to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to see some of these features and adaptations. The learners walked two trails in the reserve and along the way took photos and makes notes of what they saw. They will be using some of this information for an assessment task next week.

Vicky Holdcroft, Head of Humanities

Dive CCA finishes with a splash in Rawa

The inaugural season of the Scuba Diving CCA was a great success culminating in an amazing trip to Rawa, Indonesia. During season one, our divers (some experienced and some completely new to it all) had to go through multiple exercises and tests in order to prepare for their certification. We also spent two Saturday mornings at Queenstown Swimming Complex getting comfortable with all the new equipment and procedures in a confined water environment.

To complete their courses, all learners completing their Open Water Diver (OWD) certification had to complete 4 dives in the ocean while accompanied by a dive instructor. We also had two experienced divers completing their Rescue Diver certification, who had to complete scenarios of what to do to ensure everyone is safe underwater. In order to do so, we arranged a trip to Rawa Island, Malaysia for everyone to become fully certified. This involved a 3-4 hour bus ride from our campus to Mersing where we then took a ferry to Rawa Island Resort.

During the weekend, our divers were extremely busy, practising their new found skills in the open water as well as adjusting to the new environment with similar equipment. All of our learners were efficient and attentive when they were required to. The sea-life was a real highlight for our new divers, they got to hang-out with Turtles, Clown-Fish (better known to many as Nemo), Cuttlefish and Sting-rays to name but a few.

During free time, everyone had fun including the wonderful staff that accompanied us on the trip. Whether this was using the large water slide, socialising over a game of pool or just enjoying the picturesque sunsets together. Being on Rawa Island definitely allowed us to strengthen existing bonds and make new ones with others in the group. I personally hope this gives others an insight into this wonderful CCA and that we have plenty more learners wanting to get their Open Water Dive certification in Season 2.

Marshall Borst (11B)