Out and About

Vietnam Tour April 2026

During the April holidays, a group of Endeavour students toured Vietnam, combining study, cultural experiences, and service.

The trip began in Hoi An, where students explored the Marble Mountains, temples, and historic sites. Highlights included basket boat rides and cooking classes, offering insight into Vietnamese culture.

In Vung Tau, students met Vietnam Veteran Ryk Traeger and his wife Karen, who guided them through key Vietnam War sites, including Nui Dat, Viet Cong tunnels, and the Long Tan Cross, providing a powerful opportunity for reflection.

The tour then shifted to a service focus. Prior to the trip, the team hosted a range of events raising $4,400 to support two orphanages in Ba Ria, continuing the College’s long-standing 20-year partnership with the South Australian Veterans Charity Group. Students purchased and delivered supplies, spending time engaging with children at both the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart orphanage and the Bong Lai Humanitarian Centre. These interactions highlighted connection, joy, and the impact of ongoing projects such as water filtration systems.

The tour concluded in Ho Chi Minh City, where students visited the War Remnants Museum, Ben Tre Markets, and explored the Mekong River, gaining further insight into Vietnam’s history and culture.

Below are some of the student reflections:

A highlight that will stay with me forever is the time our group spent at the orphanages. Knowing that those late nights baking and preparing fundraisers made a huge difference in those children’s lives meant so much. 

Thinara

My favourite part of the 2026 Vietnam study tour was the basket boat ride and the cooking class. These experiences helped me learn about Vietnamese culture in a hands-on way. 

Sienna

Vietnam is a wonderful country filled amazing culture! Being able to form new relationships among my peers has made this trip more memorable for me. Lavend

I loved the cooking class I did in Vietnam — from flambéing food in the pan to chopping fresh ingredients and making delicate rice-paper pancakes…every moment was genuinely fun and memorable. 

Tameem

This trip was a real eye-opener and a chance to reflect on how fortunate we are in the upbringing we’ve had. It also gave us the opportunity to grow, step outside our comfort zones, and connect with students from other year levels. Koen

The opportunity of making and tasting traditional Vietnamese cuisine was a unique and valuable experience. 

Jazlyn

Vietnam was an impactful experience, immersing in the culture and building deeper connections among my peers. Natalie

The highlight of the Vietnam tour for me was the cooking class and basket boat tour. I thought it was so much fun to get to learn to cook so many different dishes and to ride in the basket boats along the river. 

Fran

Kelli DeLacy

Head of Humanities

ANZAC Day

At the end of the recent school holidays, College Captains Jemma Gillard and Koen Greenham, accompanied by Mr David Thiele, attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Salisbury War Memorial. It was a well-attended event. The student leaders laid a wreath on behalf of the College in memory of all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of this nation.

During his address, Salisbury RSL President Graham Reynolds paid particular tribute to the vital roles played by local civilians in supporting Australia’s war effort during World War II. The Salisbury area had become a major munitions centre, particularly with the Salisbury Explosives Factory, where many locals, including women, worked producing vital military supplies. Nearby farms also helped maintain food production. These often unrecognised efforts were essential in sustaining Australia’s home front and wartime operations.

In 2026, the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy both celebrate 125 years of service to the nation.Other significant commemorations for Australia this year include the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong (Korean War) and the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan (Vietnam War).

This ANZAC Day, and every day, may we remember the service and sacrifice of all who have fought for our freedoms and give thanks for all those serving in the defence of our nation today. 

Lest we forget.

David Thiele

History Coordinator

Senior Japanese Excursion

This week, our Senior Japanese class went on an excursion to the city, where we visited a Japanese restaurant and attended The Origami Art of Tomoko Fuse exhibition. We left school at lunchtime and first headed to a restaurant called Ryumon Ramen, where we enjoyed a delicious meal.

Eleven of us gathered around a large table, discussing what to order, whether to try ordering in Japanese, and what ramen restaurants are like in Japan. For some, it was their first time eating ramen or using chopsticks for noodles, but everyone embraced the challenge and had a great time.

The origami exhibition was truly impressive, unlike anything we had seen before. The artist, Tomoko Fuse, lives in Nagano, Japan, and had her artwork shipped all the way to Adelaide. The exhibition is at Hawke building in City West of Adelaide University and it is worth a visit. We took a group photo in front of the main installation and spent time appreciating each piece. Every work was incredibly detailed and crafted from a variety of materials, and we were amazed by the precision and perfection in every piece.

Students also took on the challenge of finding their own way home, much like Japanese high school students do every day. It was a wonderful afternoon filled with good food, cultural experiences, and great company. As their teacher, I could not have been happier to see everyone in such high spirits, chatting enthusiastically and strengthening our connections through our shared appreciation of Japanese culture.

Chihiro Sakamoto

Head of Languages