STARR Trip

In the July school holidays (4th - 21st July 2025), eight Year 10 and 11 students and two staff (Ms Jenni Frank and Mrs Linda Tsai) travelled to Indonesia to take part in the College’s second STARR trip. 

This trip focused on allowing students to learn about Science, Technology and Art in reef and rainforest ecosystems and inspiring these students to pursue future careers in Science. For this trip, St Philip's College partnered with Operation Wallacea, which allowed students to go to the Wallacea region in Indonesia; an isolated region not usually visited by tourists.

During the first part of the trip, we caught four planes and a took a 5-hour boat ride to North Buton Island off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia to explore the jungle ecosystem. Our students participated in flora, bird, butterfly, reptile, bat and megafauna biodiversity surveys and heard lectures from local and international scientists about the jungle ecosystem. While the weather conditions and terrain were at times challenging, students gained unique insights into the career of being a research ecologist.

During the second part of the trip, we travelled via multiple trucks and boats to Hoga Island to explore the reef ecosystem. Students had the opportunity to snorkel and scuba dive in both reef and mangrove ecosystems. While doing this, students learned about and conducted different biodiversity surveying techniques such as using transects underwater to see changes in marine ecosystems overtime. They also used coral colour charts to determine coral health and completed reef fish IDing. Students also heard lectures from leading scientists about marine ecosystems, the importance of conservation and careers in marine ecosystems. While in Hoga Island, we also learned about the importance of community engagement in marine conservation. Students got the opportunity to visit a local community that live in houses built over the sea and to go on canoe rides through the village.

After two weeks abroad, we caught two ferries and five flights home. While we are all very tired, this was an invaluable learning experience for our students. Please see a reflection from a student who went on this trip below:

I believe that the STARR Trip was a valuable experience, both for science and general knowledge of the world. The daily activities in both the jungle and ocean enhanced my knowledge of science and conservation, as well as generally being enjoyable. If money was no object, I would absolutely return to Opwall for future scientific endeavours. I might attempt to go somewhere without mosquitos, though. - Dylan Williams

We look forward to the STARR trip continuing in 2027 in a new and exciting location.