Trip of a lifetime to Thailand

Learners headed to the far east for an educational trip, spending three weeks journeying around Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

Accompanied by staff members Janet Ralph and Michele Groome, learners visited places such as Bangkok, Chang Mai, Phnom Penh and Ko Chang.  During the trip, they learnt skills such as bushcraft. They also stopped off at a village school in Cambodia and travelled by tuk-tuk to see the largest religious monument in the world at Angkor Wat.

Janet Ralph said: “We set off from Manchester airport and arrived in Bangkok via Dubai. After a tour around the old city of Bangkok by canal, we made the next long journey by train to Chang Mai. Here we were accompanied by experienced guides as we trekked through the jungle between the traditional Laho villages in the Mae Taeng district before sleeping in a bamboo hut. Learners experienced many skills such as bushcraft skills and making walking sticks out of bamboo as well as finding time to enjoy white water rafting.”

Janet added: “There was time for relaxation at Siem Reap in the Gulf of Thailand before moving on to experience the Killing Fields for a sobering insight into Cambodia’s recent history.  “We experienced a range of weather including thunder, lightning and heavy rain but this passed and we could spend some time snorkeling and swimming before facing the long journey home.”

Lee Cummins, headteacher, added: “It has been fascinating to track their journey and see all the wonderful activities they have been engaged in.
“I was lucky enough to meet the learners on their return and chat to them about what they had experienced. It was clear to see that this was a life changing opportunity. This is the second large scale expedition the school has organised and I am sure there will be many more opportunities like this for learners in the future.”