World
Challenge
Thailand
Remote jungle trekking, working in an elephant sanctuary, and visiting bustling markets were some of the experiences enjoyed by a group of 16 Year 11 students on the recent World Challenge expedition to Thailand.
This was the first journey St Andrew’s has undertaken with school expeditions company, World Challenge. It was open to the entire year group, with 16 students chosen from the list of applicants. The group,
Helena Cook (Year 12) made a new friend while painting a village school.
Donna was impressed by the way the students met every challenge, which included trekking uphill in a jungle in extreme heat; sleeping on wooden floors in huts with animals snuffling around underneath; and showering using a 44 gallon drum of water and a bucket. “This was never going to be an easy expedition but the students got on with it and embraced everything without complaint. They were an amazing group who learned to be resilient, accepting, and understanding that others don’t have as much as them but are happy.”
Values and Culture
with parental support, raised $20,000 towards the trip.
Jooyoung Kim and Scott Rees enjoy a unique dining experience in the jungle.
Staff Wanaka Challenge Cold, wet conditions and some unfortunate equipment malfunctions did little to deter the 12 St Andrew’s staff who performed creditably in the annual Wanaka Challenge – a full ironman race covering a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle leg and a 42.2km run. The staff teams of four (which included two runners completing a half marathon each) finished second, fourth and fifth in the corporate category, after winning the inaugural corporate race last year. Teacher Brent Cummack, one of the runners, said the event was a great opportunity for staff to ‘mix it’ with world-class athletes, in a race with a reputation as one of the toughest and most demanding endurance triathlons around the globe. “The weather made it even tougher this year. However it started to improve by the time the
second runners were on the course. Despite the challenges most staff achieved personal bests.” The first St Andrew’s team’s bike broke down on the course and it was over an hour before help arrived. Despite this setback the team, comprising Kristeen Smith, Rod McIntosh, Paul Morrow and Bevan Jones rallied and still managed to finish second, just 20 minutes behind the eventual winners, which was an outstanding achievement. Brent says the staff teams were given some extra motivation before the event from Old Collegian, Dylan McNeice (2003), a professional athlete and one of the stars of the Wanaka Challenge after winning it three times. “We appreciated Dylan’s advice. It was another great event, and we look forward to being involved again next year.”
37 Regulus
They also picked up some valuable risk management, teamwork and leadership skills, after being split into five teams responsible for food, budgeting, accommodation, transport and activities during the adventure. “I’m completely in awe of what the students achieved,” says English teacher Donna Jones, who led the trip with Richard Whiteside of the PE and Health Department. “Their teamwork and collaboration was outstanding.” Community service was a vital element of the trip, with the students managing a project to paint a village school, even enlisting the help of young local children.
Bevan Jones, Tam Yuill Proctor and Brent Cummack looking fresh at the start of their half marathons.
