Year 9 Big Experience Information Evening

Aims of the Big Experience

Take students out of their comfort zone, physically, emotionally and spiritually and encourage positive risk taking Provide opportunities for students to inquire deeply into the questions raised in the CUE program To develop open mindedness towards cultural diversity Explore the shared values of individuals, local communities and the global community

To complete community service and instil a principled sense of life long service to others To encourage positive behaviour change towards more sustainable, caring decision makers and therefore people of action. Enhance students organisational, reflective and interpersonal skills

The Choices Australia People, Culture and Country China Ancient and Contemporary Thailand, Laos & Cambodia A Journey of Contrasts Vietnam Beyond the Brochures

Australia- People, Culture and Country

South Goulburn Island

Warruwi

Bottle Rock

Fishing

Mountain Biking

Arts Centre

Injalak Hill

Jabiru

Jim Jim Falls

Litchfield National Park

Darwin

Defence of Darwin

Specifics Flying Qantas or Virgin Airlines to Darwin. Small Single or Twin Engine plane Staying in 3 Star type hotels in Darwin, Camping South Goulburn Island, Airconditioned accommodation in Gunbalanya and at the Anbinik resort in Jabiru COST RANGE: $3400 $3600

China: Ancient and Contemporary

Chengdu: Panda Breeding Centre

Zongbei Middle School

Yangtze River

Miao Village

Xian

Terracotta Warriors

Shanghai

Beijing

Great Wall of China

Specifics Flying with Thai Airways and China Eastern Airlines Staying in 3 Star type hotels and hostels across China COST RANGE: 20 Students $6850 $7050 30 Students $6600 $6800

Thailand, Laos and Cambodia: A Journey of Contrasts

Chiang Mai

Chiang Dao

Mekong River

Pak Beng

Luang Prabang

Siem Reap

Kampuchea House

Phnom Penh The Killing Fields

Phnom Penh

Specifics Flying internationally with Thai Airlines One Internal Flight with Lao Airlines Staying in 3 star hotels. During community service students will stay in a long house, dormitory style. COST RANGE: $4600 $4900

Vietnam: Beyond the Brochures

Ho Chi Minh

Cu Chi Tunnels

Mekong Delta

Hoi An

Hue

Reunification express

Hanoi

Specifics Flying with Vietnam Airlines for both International and internal flights Staying in 3 star hotels. During community service students homestay will be in a long room, dormitory style. COST RANGE $4200 $4500

Health Water bottled water is provided in hotels, at meal times and carried into community service areas Vaccinations we recommend that once the destination has been confirmed you visit a travel doctor to discuss the recommended vaccinations Tetanus The school has records of your last booster shoot, if you are unsure of the date please contact the CUE office. If you are overdue we ask you to arrange a booster shot for Tetanus, the process is much easier here than during the Big Experience

Passports PLEASE attach a photocopy of your passport to the preference form If you do not have a passport that is valid until June 2018 please arrange to get one as soon as possible Please email Dorothy Forbes if you are in the process of obtaining a passport

Insurance The school s insurance covers us for International travel. If you have any questions in regard to this please contact Samantha Corrigan Samantha.Corrigan@stleonards.vic.edu.au

Important Dates Walkathon Saturday 12 August All day event walking 27 km to raise funds to support the community service work undertaken in 6 Countries during the BE Specific Trip Information evening 5 September. Meet with the staff travelling and receive detailed information about the trip

Community Visits All of our trips involve community service, whether it be a building project, visiting a school or orphanage. We visit Kampuchea House in Cambodia An Australian funded orphanage. In Vietnam, we visit an orphanage for abandoned disabled children. In both cases we believe children and carers value our visits.

Other Information This presentation and the brochures are on StLink CUE pages You will find all relevant information here throughout the year Please also take a moment to look at the blogs from last year s trip

Preference forms are due back Wednesday 22 March (with copy of passport) Choose for YOUR OWN reasons

Questions Australia Mark Slykhuis China Scott Pinnegar, Robyn Marshall Thailand/Laos/Cambodia Billy Penfold Vietnam David Eales, Barry Tudor General Questions: Jane Harrison, Annie McGuire, Alan Scott