Planning for a month-long overseas trip can be difficult at the best of times.
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But when all the organisation is done by a group of year 9 and 10 students, it can be even more challenging.
That was the reality faced by 14 students at Campbell High School, who have recently returned from a four-week expedition to Vietnam.
We’re now able to approach problems from a few different angles. It’s certainly improved our problem-solving skills
- Student Marli Haddeill
As well as sight-seeing, the expedition also saw the group help with community work at a kindergarten.
Year 10 student Anna Young said 18 months of preparation went into planning every aspect of the expedition.
“We had to organise all of the transport and accommodation as well as fundraise for all the money,” she said.
“We had to do all of the organising ourselves.”
This is the third time Campbell High School has undertaken the expedition.
Teacher Ian Mongan accompanied the students and said it was an experience that fostered a greater sense of independence.
“They get to do a lot more than they would normally get to do on other trips,” he said.
As part of the students’ trip, the team completed two hikes in central and northern Vietnam, going through the Sapa Valley.
Despite the sweltering conditions at the height of the Vietnamese summer, Mr Mongan said the students made great progress.
“It was also very wet nearly every couple of days, but we were pretty lucky with the conditions,” he said.
However, the highlight of the expedition for many was their week-long visit to Thuy Xuan Kindergarten.
The community work saw the group build a new wall at the school, which student Marli Hadeill said was a rewarding experience.
“There were many times where we got to interact with the kids and speak to them, as well as get a sense of their local community,” he said.
“Another team will have to go to the school and paint and render it, but we got it done in five days,” Anna said.
The expedition also saw the group of students visit the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh as well as Ha Long Bay.
As well as bringing the group of students closer together, Marli said the trip also gave them greater confidence and a new perspective when they returned to Australia.
“We’re now able to approach problems from a few different angles,” she said.
“It’s certainly improved our problem-solving skills.”
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
