Year 10 Dalat Trip 2018 Overview

Year 10 Dalat Trip 2018 Overview What I really liked in these situations was how our students supported each other to be successful. I saw so many examples of care and empathy; values that we deem core in our school community.

Last week year 10 and 11P excitedly departed for their much anticipated trip to Dalat. Dressed in flamingo pink, so to be easily spotted in crowds, we arrived to be greeted by Phat Tyre, a company who always provide a seamless service. We were very grateful for this and knew we would be safely cared for in their hands.

Our first stop was the Datanla Waterfall which we reached via the thrilling alpine rollercoaster ride. Here students enjoyed the fresh air, nature and had their pictures taken in front of the falls. From here we made our way to Nam Qua campsite which is only accessible by boat. Students were tired and hungry, so after a game of trust and a hearty meal, we were treated to a performance by the local Lat tribe around a campfire. Here, the students were able to dance and enjoy toasted marshmallows.

After breakfast the next day, half of the team went to Dankia Lake and the other half travelled to Lang Biang mountain. I was so proud of students in all activities. 100% of them participated in the leap of faith, hiking, abseiling down a 25 metre vertical cliff face, a zip line, a high ropes course and a team building activity. At times, students were far from their comfort zone and persevered through very real personal fears. What I really liked in these situations was how our students supported each other to be successful. I saw so many examples of care and empathy; values that we deem core in our school community.

That evening students participated in a raft building activity back at the campsite. It had been a long and damp day but they gave the activity their full effort. Some were even rewarded with a vessel that floated, but most got wet! After dinner we had the opportunity to polish off the marshmallows, enjoy some more music by the campfire and make vain attempts to dry our wet clothes.

On our last day students swapped activities in the morning so that everyone could participate in both the Lang Biang mountain experience and the Dankia Lake experience. Afterwards we regrouped to visit a local school for deaf students. We were able to deliver toys and share activities with students there. Currently each tutor group is aiming to fundraise 10,000,000 VNDs each in order to provide the school with a dryer for their clothes.

Finally, late on Thursday afternoon, we were able to check into a hotel and take warm showers. Students gleefully discovered the wifi password and were at last able to update their Instagram accounts and reclaim their snapchat points! We were able to drag them back offline eventually to participate in a BBQ dinner and a talent show. We enjoyed beat boxing, dancing, singing and rapping. What a talented group of students!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ms An, Mr Russell, Mr Hoare, Mr Halpin, Ms Wilson, Mr Crofts and the team at Phat Tyre for their support in the smooth running of this trip.

I can’t wait to go again next year!

Ms. Rachel Stevenson

Head of years 10 and 11