Borneo - World Challenge

On Thursday, 27 November, eleven students and two staff excitedly met at the departure lounge to travel to Borneo, Malaysia, for a 20-night World Challenge Trek. Prior to the trek, students had core modules to complete and a training day to begin building the skills and knowledge necessary for this trek.

Over the past 22 days, students experienced a different culture and customs. They explored the limits of their comfort zone, learned about sustainable practices and the challenges around climate and wildlife at risk through deforestation. Students have been challenged through the trekking activities in Gunung Gading National Park, participated in cooking classes and visited the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary in Kuching.

Students spent five nights at the community initiative in Dallas, helping the community by clearing hike paths, building a retaining wall, creating steps and railings for local students to make the 2km trek into school a little easier. The students fundraised for this trek, which provided books, whiteboards, laptops, a new speaker system and general building maintenance and safety for the local primary school and kinder.

The four-day trek into the jungle along the Bunsut Trail was challenging but very rewarding as students immersed themselves in the culture of rural jungle villages.

The students have created wonderful memories, displayed resilience, leadership qualities and enjoyed experiences that that they will always remember. 

Lauren Varadi and Nick Buckland