​At Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ we know that excellent learning is not just confined to classrooms and this week’s expeditions have certainly showcased that brilliantly. All the photos can be found on the in each year group tab.
For the first time, our senior students (Y11-13) have selected from four pathways including the physical challenge of the Ama Yangri peak summit, a mixture of physical challenge and community contributions in Bandipur, sustainable farming and development on the outskirts of the valley and community outreach with some of our partn​er schools around Chautara. On all four of these trips, staff have been impressed with student dedication, resilience and team spirit.
The Ama Yangri group got up at 5am to scale the 3770m peak before sunrise on Wednesday and Ms Hall was particularly impressed throughout the trip with Kalki and Aaron who consistently helped others with setting up their tents.
Many of the students on the Chautara trip are experienced in community work, having contributed to Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ community projects for many years, and it certainly shows in how much they were able to achieve in just a week. From delivering sustainable menstrual hygiene sessions and materials, to giving pottery lessons to students, including those at the centre for the blind. Our students have really seen the impact of their hard work and preparation.
Lots of our senior students this year opted for one of the two expeditions which combined both community elements and physical challenges. Near Ashapuri, students have been involved in learning about sustainable and regenerative farming practices, enthusiastically getting stuck into the hard realities of such work. Around Bandipur, students combined rigorous treks with visits to more isolated community schools where they delivered games and lessons.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a prestigious qualification which celebrates the abilities of young people to challenge themselves and give back to their communities. All of our Year 10 cohort at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ are currently working on the Bronze award and this week they have successfully undertaken their practice expedition ready to qualify later in the year. Teachers were impressed by their cooking and the way they supported each other through the trickier parts of the trekking.
Year 9 students have proven how much they have learned on their previous two years of expedition and risen to the more challenging treks on their Chitwan adventure. In addition to climbing to Siraichuli, the highest point in the region, they enjoyed some relaxation in Meghauli and took jeep and canoe safaris. One of the highlights for the staff was the final night of the trip, learning about Tharu culture and enjoying dancing with a local group.
Despite the colder weather setting in, Year 8 fully embraced a week on the beach! Alongside tackling some stunning yet demanding treks around Bandipur, they’ve spent two thrilling days rafting on the Trisuli River. The students have risen to every challenge with enthusiasm and teachers report being extremely proud of the whole group’s resilience and team spirit. In particular, they would like to celebrate: the ways in which Shajonee challenged herself to keep going in the tough moments, all with a smile on her face; Aahana’s creativity in entertaining everyone with a hole digging project; Jigsel’s confidence in the face of everything from scary rapids to public dancing; Nuba’s compassion in including everyone in his passions; and Anandi’s community spirit and relentless positivity.
This year’s incredible Year 7 cohort have also made their teachers proud every day on their first secondary expedition. From throwing themselves into teaching English lessons in community schools, to throwing themselves off cliffs when abseiling, they’ve shown remarkable adaptability and embraced every challenge with enthusiasm. In particular, teachers have been impressed with Arohi and Vega’s resilience, Aditri and Pandu’s contributions at the community school, and Wilf, Osel, Tara and Zoya for being especially positive and helpful throughout.
