Exploring Culture and Conservation in Borneo

In July, a group of 16 pupils from Year Eleven and Lower Sixth embarked on an unforgettable three-week expedition to Borneo. The trip combined cultural exploration, community projects, jungle trekking and conservation work, offering pupils the chance to immerse themselves in a completely new environment and develop valuable life skills.

The journey began in Kota Kinabalu, where pupils acclimatised to the tropical climate before travelling to KOPEL, a community-based eco-tourism and conservation organisation. Here, pupils participated in tree planting, seed collection, nursery work and community projects, including cultural exchanges with local children, sports fixtures against local sides and cultural performances in the evenings. This phase of the expedition provided pupils with a unique opportunity to contribute to vital conservation efforts while learning first-hand about sustainable living.

The next main phase of the trip was a true test of endurance: a multi-day trek through the rainforest. Sleeping in hammocks, cooking on open fires, and navigating jungle trails, pupils learned practical survival skills alongside resilience and determination. Guided by local experts, they gained an appreciation for the biodiversity of the rainforest and traditional ways of jungle life.

During the expedition, pupils also visited the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre and enjoyed snorkelling among coral reefs in Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.

Throughout the expedition, pupils not only faced physical challenges but also developed key transferable skills that will benefit them far beyond the trip. Leadership skills were developed as pupils took turns organising elements of the daily routine, while teamwork and communication were essential for success in both the community projects and the demanding jungle trek. Above all, resilience was strengthened as pupils learned to adapt to unpredictable conditions and overcome personal challenges in an unfamiliar setting.

Pupils returned not only with memories of orangutans, jungle treks and new friendships, but also with enhanced confidence, independence and a deeper appreciation of the environment and global community.

Mr Dominic Jay, Teacher of Mathematics and Acting Head of Co‑Curricular Activities