Xinmin Primary's Blog

Jungle Trekking

2006-09-03T21:07:00.000+08:00

With the guidance of Mr Bob, we managed to go through the jungle trek unscathed. Although we did not get to catch a glimpse of any wild animals, it was an enriching experience that everyone appreciated.

Taking a break

Enjoying the waterfall...

Lunch time...

Lesson in progress...

Classroom in the jungle??? Cool...

School Visit

2006-09-02T19:18:00.000+08:00

A school visit to SR St Paul Bunuk. Although it is 100 years old, it has only about 150 pupils in the whole school. Majority of the pupils are from the Bidayuh tribe.

Primary 1 classroom

School library

Exchanging postcards from Singapore

Group photo with pupils and teachers

Sarawak Cultural Village

2006-09-02T19:09:00.000+08:00

After breakfast, we made our way to the Sarawak Cultural Village by foot. In an activity-packed day, we had a lot of fun learning many interesting things.

At the entrance of Sarawak Cultural Village

In a Bidayuh longhouse

Discovering our hidden talent in dancing..

Send Off at Changi Airport_2

2006-08-31T23:30:00.000+08:00

Send Off at Changi Airport

2006-08-31T23:08:00.000+08:00

Arrived in Kuching Safely

2006-08-31T16:48:00.000+08:00

At 1530hrs, we finally landed in Kuching safely. Although we were welcomed with heavy rain, it didn't dampen our spirits one bit. We went on the city tour right away and thankfully, the heavy rain subsided.

Up on the bus and ready to go!

Snapping pictures with the monument of Kuching.

Dinner time! Local food galore.. YUMMY!

Xinmin Primary's First Overseas Trip

2006-08-31T16:02:00.000+08:00

Today marks the first overseas trip for Xinmin Primary School pupils.

30 Pri 5 pupils, accompanied by 4 teachers, will be going on an experiential learning trip to Sarawak. During the trip, the pupils will be learning about the unique flora and fauna of the 45 million years old rainforests of Sarawak, hike to a waterfall hidden in a valley in Mt Suntobong, visit a long house and experience the culture and traditions of the ingenious tribes of Sarawak.

Below is the itinerary for the 4-day trip.

31 Aug: SIN-Kuching
11.30am Meet Changi Airport Terminal 2 MAS Counter.

01.40pm Fly by MH638 to Kuching

03.05pm Arrive Kuching. Meet & Transfer for short Kuching City Tour. Dinner at local restaurant followed by transfer to Damai Beach Resort.

Kuching City Tour includes: Chinatown, Cat monument, Old State Mosque, Colonial Centre, Sarawak Museum, etc.

01 Sep: Bidayuh Longhouse & Kuching City

Set-Off after breakfast for the city. Visit the museums and the waterfront areas. Go handicrafts shopping at the Main Bazaar which is just next to the Waterfront. Make sure you walk through China Town and India Street too and cross over to the fish market where fishing trawlers sell their catch daily. Have a Sarawakian lunch in the city of Sarawak Laksa or Mee Kolok. After which go half-day excursion visiting the remarkable traditional longhouse of the Bidayuh ethnic. A pleasant drive across the scenic countryside gives you the air of hospitality while you enjoy the gorgeous sight of the undulating landscape of the country. You will be taken for the guided orientation tour of the longhouses connected by bridges and plank walks to admire the unique longhouse architecture build largely from bamboo, wood and to have a great opportunity to meet the gentle and warm people of Borneo Heartland. We continue driving for 20 minutes to Kampung Semadang to visit a rural primary school, meet the Headmaster, teachers and pupils to have a first hand information on the rural education system of Sarawak.

Evening Dinner in local (halal) restaurant before proceed to Damai Beach Resort.

02 Sep: ONE DAY FUN AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AT THE SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE

9.00am Start your tour of the ethnic houses

11.00am Watch a spectacular cultural show in the Theater

12.00pm Lunch with local flavour at Budaya Restaurant

1.30pm Dance Lesson (Arts Learning Center)

2.00pm Music Lesson (Arts Learning Center)

2.30pm Arts & Crafts Lesson (Arts Learning Center)

3.00pm Enjoy a short story telling (Traditional Games & Fun Center)

3.15pm Have fun playing Traditional Games
• Blowpipe Shooting
• Coconut Bowling
• Borneo Bamboo Golf
• Fishing in a bottle
• Treasure Hunt & Quiz
• Photo Corner

4.00pm Return to hotel

6.00-7pm Dinner in hotel

03 Sep: DISCOVERING THE RAINFOREST

9.00am After breakfast, set out for the Suntobong Jungle Trail that takes student through a 45 million years old rainforest. Along the way our recreational staff and guide will provide interesting facts about the flora and fauna you can find in the rainforest (you may want the kids to create a scrap book which they can use to write down their thoughts, interesting information and keep samples).

11.00am Arrive at waterfall area where the kids can rest and refresh themselves in the waterfall pool. They can participate in making lunch, the tribal or traditional way at the waterfall site, using some of the locally found ingredients. Once lunch is ready, they can indulge in a well deserve self-cooked lunch. After lunch, your guide will teach you how to make simple traps and give you a short briefing on how to survive in the jungle.

2.00pm Start making you way back with trash bag in hand and help preserved the natural environment by picking up the litters along the way back to the starting point. A photo session for the local press and back to the hotel for a good rest.

4.00pm Arrive at the resort.

7.30pm BBQ dinner by the beach.

04 Sep: Kuching - SIN

08.45am Transfer from Damai Beach Resort to Kuching International Airport

11.10am Flight MH637 to Singapore

12.35pm Arrive Changi Airport Terminal 2.