Towards the end of last term, three of our current students Sataya Spencer, Hayden Laird (Year 10), Reuben Hughes (Year 12) and past student Tealia Spencer met very early at Adelaide Airport to embark on an amazing experience. Through Projects Abroad and accompanying Jamestown Community School and John Pirie Secondary School our students were primarily supported by Mrs Danya McKay and Ms Jessie Eatts, both from Jamestown.

Students travelled through Malaysia to Cambodia, experiencing immigration and entry via a visa. The Asian humidity, which is very hot, was a surprise, but they were quickly involved in their project work, developing a playground and painting an exterior building.

For the first few days, they taught the year ones and two with up to 60 in a class. The language was definitely a barrier, but the students rapidly built their Khmer vocabulary, with lessons on the bus twice daily. With up to 89% humidity, the students continued to combine teaching with their project work. There was increasing excitement around the community with parents peering through windows to watch the classes. In preparation for the trip, students had been involved in developing some teaching resources which ensured they were able to get started on their teaching straight away.

There was a chance for students to also see some of the sights, with visits to Killing Fields and S-21, two sites where the devastating acts of the Khmer Rouge are remembered. They also went to a live game of the national sport, Kickboxing.

They climbed 500 steps to visit the Oudong Temple. Oudong was the original capital of Cambodia and is home to the largest Buddhist monastery in Cambodia. They were privileged to speak to a well-travelled monk who educated them about the pillars of Buddhism, coined by teaching others the art; to be the most kind, the most compassionate and the pursuit of the destruction of defiance (negativities/jealousy/anger) when reaching enlightenment.

The 6-day change made at the school was monumental - a new playground was installed and painted, the entire frontage of the school repainted, along with an educational mural in the toilet entrance. The combined efforts of the students, mentors, teachers and projects abroad were phenomenal. The school was presented with a new speaker and microphone for assemblies and group activities, plus lighting for every classroom. They were also left with a collection of sporting gear including basketballs, volleyballs, skipping ropes, footballs and teaching resources. A first for their site. All 650 students also collected a dental goodie bag including a toothbrush and toothpaste, and a snack - which was outwardly appreciated by students and a large gathering of parents.

Towards the end of the second week, the group took a 6-hour bus trip to the eagerly anticipated Siem Reap. Siem Reap is the home of thousands of temples, the most recognised being Angkor Wat - which they viewed at sunrise. With its construction taking 37 years, moving blocks of up to 2 tonne 65kms via elephant, river or pulleys, its sheer magnitude and attention to detail was incomprehensible. They found the best hide and seek location at Bayon Temple, and the most evergreen, serene location in Ta Prom Temple, which was used in the film, Tomb Raider. The entire grounds of Angkor Tom left everyone wanting to return.

Their final few days were spent at Koh Dach Island & Final Advice. The final day of touring took them to Koh Dach Primary, the location of the first international trip. The Silk Farm was another interesting stop, where the process was deconstructed to them in detail. The process of making and using silk fabrics is arduous, with it taking 20 years to learn a pattern. Each family only has one pattern, making the same one for their entire working life at a pace of 40 cms a day. This means, for a formal dress, it takes them 10 days to make the fabric.

A final celebratory meal at a steakhouse prompted some wise words from the Projects Abroad manager, acknowledging their work ethic and extended support to the schools and neighbouring communities, encouraging students to appreciate their good fortune at living in Australia, and the opportunities they have. Too often, they see people taking these for granted and not showing gratitude to those who support them. Be more grateful for your community, your parents and your experiences.

Our students have indeed returned with some incredible stories and thoroughly enjoyed working with the children in Cambodia. They have developed a sense of comradery amongst their fellow classmates and an appreciation for what they have.

A very big thank you to all of the staff who attended but most importantly, Danya and Jessie for allowing our students to be part of the group.

Tyler Hogan - Principal