Te Awamutu College Asian expedition
Twelve Te Awamutu College students were the last in Australasia to experience personal growth and a sense of community via the World Challenge Leadership Expedition in Asia.
from left: Zoe McQuillan, Eva Walton, Bonnie Dixon, Libby Haynes, James Crowhurst, Rosie Anderson, Ashlee Bell, Maddy Lile, Madison Phillips, Brian Winter, Bernard Oliver, Lilah Earwaker and Kaylee Grinter pictured with children at Chambok Sor Primary School.
Year 12 and 13 students Rosie Anderson, Ashlee Bell, James Crowhurst, Bonnie Dixon, Lilah Earwaker, Kaylee Grinter, Libby Haynes, Maddy Lile, Zoe McQuillan, Emaani Mullins, Madison Phillips and Eva Walton spent three weeks in Cambodia and Thailand last month, accompanied by teachers Brian Winter and Bernard Oliver, as well as World Challenge expedition leader Vicky Bradshaw.
Bernard Oliver and Emaani Mullins painting.
World Challenge is a UK-based company specialising in sustainable travel and leadership expeditions.
“We’re hoping they’ll be able to bring some of their experience and their learning back with them to school,” Te Awamutu College teacher of social studies and tourism Winter said.
“The idea is to push you out of your comfort zone, test you and to learn about the culture of the places that you visit.”
As part of their trip, the group stayed at a rural Cambodian village, Trei Nhoar, for three nights and helped paint a block – inside and out – at Chambok Sor Primary School.
Madison Phillips and Bernard Oliver painting with some of the children at Chambok Sor Primary School.
“They learnt about the village, the kids and why school was so important to them,” Winter said. “One of the guides spread the message about how important school is to the children there because it is the way out of poverty.
“It gave the students that appreciation for what these children’s experiences in life are and thinking about their experiences back home. We are in a fortunate position.
“It was cool to see them come to terms with that and realise we’ve got it good in New Zealand, but there are small ways that we can contribute.
“In our small way, we were able to do that.”
Winter said it was gratifying seeing the students’ sense of accomplishment – helping communities they wouldn’t originally have a connection with.
from left: Madison Phillips, Bernard Oliver, Eva Walton, Bonnie Dixon, Kaylee Grinter, Vicky Bradshaw (Expedition Leader), Maddy Lile, Libby Haynes, Emaani Mullins, Brian Winter, Rosie Anderson, James Crowhurst, Lilah Earwaker, Ashlee Bell and Zoe McQuillan enjoy a historic experience.
“We often talk in the classroom about leadership and contributing to the community,” he said.
“I come from a history and social science background. So, it was cool to see kids interacting even with that aspect overseas, especially experiencing the history of Cambodia first hand.
“It was really about getting out of your comfort zone and making the most of every opportunity.
“To see some of them push themselves and make the most of every opportunity while they were travelling was fantastic.”
Not long before their departure to Asia, World Challenge announced the closure of their programme in Australia and New Zealand in 2026.
A photo with the staff of the school.
With a month to spare, luckily the students’ fundraising efforts didn’t go to waste.
Alongside fundraising, the students had funded their travels out of their own pockets, and their caregivers’ too.
“We were lucky. I know other schools who were going to go this year and they had their trips cancelled. They’re concentrating on their UK operations,” Winter said.
“We raised around $17,000. It didn’t pay for the entire trip, but it was a massive effort that students and families put in to raise that amount.
“Our quiz night in September helped us get to that mark, as well as other fundraisers throughout the year. We have such a generous community in Te Awamutu.
“Without the donations and the support of our community, we couldn’t have done it. We owe a lot of gratitude to them.
“I know our students have had a lot of personal growth from this experience and it has been awesome to see them take up the challenge. It’s going to be something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Back row – from left: Zoe McQuillan, Bonnie Dixon, Eva Walton, Maddy Lile, Madison Phillips, Vicky Bradshaw (Expedition Leader), Kaylee Grinter, Brian Winter, Travis (Guide), Ashlee Bell and Bernard Oliver. Front row: James Crowhurst, Libby Haynes, Rosie Anderson and Lilah Earwaker.
