The Year 10s met early at school on Monday 26th January, full of excitement for the adventures ahead on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. After a smooth journey, we arrived at our excellent accommodation, the YWCA, with the students settling into their rooms and exploring the site, and enjoying its picturesque views across the bay. We were introduced to our trip adventure company, North Star, who took care of us so well and guided us with expertise throughout the week’s varied activities.
I was very proud of the whole year group during the entirety of this trip; all students committed to the full range of actvities with unrelenting enthusiasm, perseverance, and a keen sense of humour. Perhaps more importantly, I was impressed by how well they cared for and encouraged one another, looking after the community, as well as strengthening and forming new bonds of friendship.
This trip offered multiple opportunities to for outdoor learning, including archery, climbing, trekking, shelter‐building, stretcher‐making, stretcher‐racing (!), fire‐starting and even a touch of fish‐gutting.
North Star’s daily ‘survival lectures’ ensured that the students truly understood the value and use of the skills which they were developing. The visit to the Big Buddha and accompanying nature trail also offered some enlightening cultural and environmental experiences.
Mr Ben Wall, Head of Year 10
As always, the impact of a trip such as this is best described by the students who took part:
'For the first half of the day, we did rock climbing and archery. Since these two activities were very new to me and therefore challenging, it felt great when I rang the finishing bell (at the top of the climbing wall) and hit the bull’s eye with my arrows.'
Nhi Dang, 10N
'For almost all of us, learning how to scale, gut and cook a fish was a tough challenge, but in the end we all enjoyed the experience. We then went on a hike to Mui Wo beach where we had to make a stretcher and run carrying three sandbags! To add to the excitement, we ended our day with a game of beach ultimate Frisbee. Undoubtedly, today will be a day we will never forget, with the beautiful scenery and fresh air that would have been impossible to get in the city.'
Ha Thanh Le and Angela Kim, 10B
