Grade 8 escape the confines of the classroom, and take learning opportunities on the road

Grade 8 escape the confines of the classroom, and take learning opportunities on the road Northbridge International School Cambodia students look forward to the annual MIA trips all year long. This year was no different, as it was a chance for Grade 8 to escape the confines of the classroom, and take learning opportunities on the road.

Northbridge International School Cambodia students look forward to the annual MIA trips all year long. This year was no different, as it was a chance for Grade 8 to escape the confines of the classroom, and take learning opportunities on the road.

These trips are a break from the usual school day, offering our students the opportunity to see historic attractions, cultural events or involve themselves in community service activities. More importantly, such trips foster and encourage interaction with classmates and teachers in a more relaxed manner than the normal school environment.

Our Grade 8 MIA trip to Siem Reap was a resounding success with its balance of a historical visit to the Angkor Wat temples, a service activity to the Bayon school community project, a cultural interaction at the Alliance Francaise, and culminating with a traditional themed acrobatic performance at Phare circus.

Leaving Northbridge early on Wednesday 5 February, the group travelled by bus to Siem Reap, a journey that took 7 hours, interspersed with comfort breaks and a longer lunch break. Our students were very happy and exuberant along the way, entertaining us with stories and songs. 

On arrival we settled into our hotel and then gathered to leave for the sunset tour of the Pre Rup Temple. We ascended the steep flight of stairs and gathered on the top finding our vantage spot with the many other visitors there. As the sun began to set, the air around became still and silence descended upon the temple. The view was magnificent, with one student commenting that they had never seen such a beautiful sight as the one in front of us. 

After dinner we had an entertaining team building exercise, after which we headed for bed, as we had an early start the next morning.

Waking up at 4.30am and leaving at 5.15am was a new experience to many, but it was accepted with no moans and groans, but quite the opposite. On arrival at Angkor Wat we assembled in front of the pond and waited for the sun to rise behind the Temple.

It was peaceful watching the sun come up and silhouette the magnificent building against a beautiful pink and orange tinged sky. An hour later, after walking up to the third level and witnessing intricately carved murals depicting history of the time, we were done, and had breakfast before proceeding with the Bayon temple tour.

A short drive later and we arrived at the final temple of Tah Prom which was the highlight of the tour, since everyone had heard the 'Tomb Raider’ temple, after the movie of that name was filmed there. The students loved that the temple was almost ‘alive’ and one remarked that it was as if the forest was reclaiming what once belonged to nature!

One of the pillars of our MIA program is its service related focus, and to this end, after lunch the students engaged with Bayon school.

In an effort to provide fresh vegetables for the orphans at the school, woman market gardeners are assisted (with seed and trees for shade) in growing vegetables for the school.

Our students put their hearts and backs into preparing and digging holes for planting the saplings along the perimeter of the gardens to provide shade for the growing vegetables. Others also helped clean up the gardens by removing plastic bottles and bags. in the gardens.

We returned to the hotel in time for an early dinner after which we left for the Phare circus where we witnessed an acrobatic display called 'White Gold', which depicted and emphasised, through acrobatics, the importance of rice in the culture and life of Cambodia.

The students were tired after such a long and busy day and all slept soundly knowing that the following morning they would be returning home. The Grade 8 MIA 2020 trip was a resounding success.