10 May 2018
CANADA BOUND
The benefits of travel are endless – cultural experiences, savoury flavours, breath-taking landscapes, new adventures, more responsibility and tightened friendship bonds, just to name a few.
Over the last 7 years, Quirindi High has been building on a culture of opportunity for our students, including international travel.
This year, QHS are thrilled to be taking 33 students to Canada in October.
These type of experiences, are open to all QHS students offering them the chance to embrace the adventures of overseas countries and cultures in a safe environment.
"We know that this, is an added expense to providing an education for students. It is for this reason trips are scheduled every 2 years and we undertake major fundraising to reduce the expense to parents. We want to make these experiences accessible to as many students as possible," said Deputy Principal, Miss Loughery.
One of the best things about travel is that it's a huge mind opener.
From cultural awareness to diving head first into new and exciting experiences, travel can work wonders in the minds of children. It's a scholastic way to broaden their minds through complete immersion.
It teaches new responsibilities: Life is very different on the road that's part of its magic – it forces us to break away from those daily routines. Travelling helps to accept new roles through decision making and skill development.
It strengthens friendships: Travelling is notorious for strengthening bonds. Travel provides the perfect opportunity to collect memories, not things.
Boosts school grades: Through real-life learning experiences, travel adds tangibility to what children are reading and learning about in school. These travel experiences create a richer context and substance to their classroom knowledge which in turn, helps to boost those school grades.
They'll practice tolerance and acceptance: And challenges and flexibility! They'll learn to adapt to new situations, meet different challenges and be flexible enough to be patience in an unexpected lifestyle.
Travel promotes socialisation: Travel allows people to connect with others of all ages, all nationalities and walks of life – travel offers a diverse range of social opportunities.
With just over 20 weeks to go until the QHS Canada Trip, QHS wanted to take the opportunity to thank all those community members, businesses and organisations who have assisted our students with their fundraising efforts towards the trip.
"From the moment, we advertised this excursion we have had major interest and the support of parents and the community. To date we have raised over $25,000 that has been put towards the cost of the excursion: thus, reducing the burden on families," continued Miss Loughrey.
The Canada Trip Fundraising committee have had fundraising events such as cake stalls, pie drives, raffles, the selling of chocolates, canteens at various community events, market stalls and a donation from local organisation ‘Farming for Kids'. Students have had the opportunity to fundraise on an individual basis if they chose.
In the future, QHS encourage all students and parents to seriously think about sending their child/attending one of these excursions.
"They are a once in a lifetime chance to experience the world with their peers and the safety net of school staff. Students being involved in fundraising also teaches them that you have to work towards you goals and that there is reward for hard work."
As we get ready to depart for the Canada trip in October, QHS are already talking about our next adventure in 2020.
"It may be very cold! If you would like any information about overseas excursions, please feel free to contact the school. Stay tuned for the 2020 destination!"