Eye-opening Service Learning tours for Year 9
Service Learning tours are a highlight for our Year 9 students, giving them an opportunity to immerse themselves in hard work and embrace diverse cultures in communities across outback Australia and East Asia.
During the holidays, 95 Year 9 students and 14 teachers (plus Head of Middle School, Ms Webb, who checked in throughout the East Asia destinations) ventured to the East Kimberleys, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Fiji, providing service and support to local communities and connecting with local stories, struggles and successes.
15 girls headed off to Cambodia accompanied by Ms Johnson and Mrs Mahoney. There they experienced the wonders of the ancient city of Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat, and discovered the history of the Khmer Empire. A visit to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, scene of mass killings and burials during the genocide, brought home the brutal realities of Cambodia’s more recent past. In the floating village of Prek Toal, the students had the opportunity to work with local tradesmen to build local homes. This involved living and working at the Tonle Sap lake.
Hannah said, “For our group, our service learning tour to Cambodia was an eye opener to a different way of life. It was such an enjoyable time meeting new people and making memories. The service to community was rewarding knowing that our hard work was going to such a good cause.”
17 students headed off to Thailand, along with Ms Jalili and Ms Rodgerson, where they flew from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
There they experienced the incredible beauty of the mountains, and visited temples where they met local monks to learn more about Thai beliefs, traditions and culture. Students completed their service work in a Karen Hill Tribe Village. This included working in the Children's Home and undertaking maintenance work to update aspects of the school in the Baan Mae Ga Nai Village.
Mia said, “Going to Thailand for Service Learning was an amazing opportunity as it allowed me to immerse myself in the culture of Thailand and give back to a community in need. Doing a village stay allowed me to feel the sense of community and engage on a deeper level. I’m very grateful for this opportunity that I otherwise would have never experienced.”
15 students headed off to East Kimberley with Mr Morton and Miss Bodycott, where they immersed themselves in Aboriginal culture, learning from a local family about bush food and medicine, the environment and wildlife. They travelled to Kununurra, Lake Argyle, El Questro and the Adelaide River, where they saw stunning red gorges, hot springs, waterfalls and huge saltwater crocodiles. A highlight of their tour was the opportunity to help local women affected by domestic violence at a Women's shelter and assist with the holiday activity program with local organisation Save the Children for Aboriginal children in Kununurra.
Emily said, “The trip to the Eastern Kimberley region opened my eyes to the extraordinary places and diverse cultures outside of New South Wales. It allowed me to witness different living conditions visible in our country and do our part in helping the Kununurra community, whilst enjoying the incredible landscapes of the Western Territory and Darwin.”
Two groups headed to Laos, one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia, where many people live in poverty with limited infrastructure. Here the students had a chance to explore the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, with its ancient temples, colonial architecture and rich history. But they also visited some of the most disadvantaged regions in the country. This included a trip to the village of Phar Nor, where the students helped to build a meeting hall for the village. They also had an opportunity to visit the Laos Elephant Conservation Centre and understand how that program operates.
There were 18 students in the Group accompanied by Ms Nathan, Mr Douglas and Miss Oakley, including Bella who said, “My trip to Laos was truly amazing: the people, the places and the experiences. I found it to be inspiring and an eye opening experience, which enriched my knowledge and understanding of Laos and its culture.”
20 students went to Laos with Ms Chen, Ms Lord and Ms Furlong Alexanderson. Megan said, “My trip to Laos was honestly one of the most incredible and eye-opening experiences of my life. The culture and its genuinely kind people have had a huge impact on how I view the world, which I am truly grateful for.”
Finally, 10 students went to Fiji with Mrs Woodward and Ms Jackson. The group travelled to Somosomo Village in the Yasawa Islands, where they participated in a range of cultural-based activities and worked within the village. Students also monitored and completed tasks linked to the marine reserve.
Natasha said, “Service Learning in Fiji this year was a special experience for me. This trip meant a lot as I am very close with my family. By being accepted into a broader Fijian culture and extended family I became a contributing member of their community.”
And Sarah said, “For me, Fiji was an experience that will help shape me for the rest of my life. I have never experienced something so inspiring when I witnessed how the Fijians lived with happiness and joy.”
The School motto, Ut Prosim, that I may serve, lies at the very heart of 韩国AV. Our students are raised to value service and to make a difference whenever they have an opportunity to do so, and the Service Learning tours are an incredible opportunity for them to put this into practice.
Many thanks to all the teachers who gave up their holidays to accompany the students and to all the parents for their support, including helping the girls with their fundraising activities. And a huge thank you must go to Ms Amy Webb and Miss Carly Keys for all their hard work in organising the tours.
The students will give a presentation on their Service Learning tours to Dr Scott, their parents and the 韩国AV community at 6pm at the Independent Theatre on Tuesday 30 October.