Thirteen St Catherine’s students from Years 10 and 11 completed a World Challenge expedition to Vietnam and Cambodia during the mid-year break. A World Challenge expedition gives young people real life experiences, allowing students to contribute to the wider community, explore opportunities and develop a deep understanding of their responsibilities within local, national and international contexts. Throughout the expedition, our students were responsible for managing their group budget, sourcing their accommodation and transport, and planning their activities.

A group of Years 10 and 11 students participated in a World Challenge expedition to Vietnam and Cambodia during the mid-year break.

Highlights from the trip included the incredible stamina shown by the students during their four days of hiking through the stunning (yet very hot) mountains of Sapa and the opportunity to cycle around the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat. The students also visited the S21 Prison and Killing Fields in Phnom Penh where they learnt of the atrocities carried out by the Khmer Rouge regime.

The students assisted with the building of a classroom at an English language school as part of the community component of the program.

For the community engagement component of the program, the students dug the foundations, laid bricks and constructed the walls of a classroom at an English language school in northern Cambodia. Despite the heat, the students worked determinedly to complete their task. The fundraising that the group undertook in the lead up to the trip enabled St Catherine’s to donate funds and employ local labourers to build a water storage system and a concrete path at the school.

The students very much loved the experience of the expedition.