Week without Walls – Learning Beyond Classroom

Problem solving, support, perseverance, teamwork and collaboration – those are the key words of our residential trips. Last week our students visited Yixing, Oriental Green and Kunshan in their ‘Week without Walls’ enjoying a variety of different activities designed to develop these core skills.  This week it is the turn of our Senior School students as well as our DUCKS children. 

At Dulwich College Suzhou, we create learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. Students learn how to battle mosquitoes; solve problems; live independently in a safe environment, explore the outdoors, enjoy history and culture and to expect the unexpected.

Upon their return, our Junior School students have been reflecting on their experience. Here is what our students have shared with us:

Emily O, Year 3

Our Year 3 Residential was fantastic! I learnt so much over two days. I learnt how to have fun and laugh with my friends and teachers. I learnt how to be brave even when I didn’t feel like it. I learnt that I should never give up even when at first, I don’t succeed. I learnt about resilience and to persist with challenges and try new things. I really enjoyed seeing my teachers have fun with us – we did a race with Mr Fan and Ms Roux and Mr Fan won! He is so fast. I will forever keep these memories and I can’t wait for next year. Thank you to Ms Gray and all of the DCSZ staff for making this possible for us.

Mable Y, Year 4

I liked the laser tag very much because there was a big space, and we ran around everywhere and we shot their light jackets. We had a very good player and we won two times and we tried to stay together. We worked really hard as a team to make sure we won.

Zarja D, Year 6, Arwyn H, Year 6

Last week Tuesday, Year 6 went on their Residential Trip to Oriental Land near Dianshan Lake where we stayed for 3 nights and 4 days. After arriving by bus, we got straight into the activities. We were split into 3 groups and had a fantastic first day getting to know more about each other and spending time working as teams on the various activities.

We had lots and lots of fun during the activities, especially kayaking high rope climbing and archery tag. We got to play against the teachers and found out that Mr Roloefse has a weakness to students shooting arrows at him. Overall, we had an amazing time learning, having fun and building relationships with our fellow Year 6 friends.

Our dedicated staff put in an extraordinary amount of effort into the activities for the students. Our administration and support team also put in hours of preparation time in order to ensure the smooth running of the trips. A big thank you to all of the staff members involved into the trips.

Our parents have sent on a lot of thank-you messages to school and below are just some examples. 

from Year 3, Liz's parent

Hi! I wanted to write a message to you to thank you all so much for a fabulous school trip! Liz left on Tuesday and she was very excited. Then came back on Wednesday and she was absolutely buzzing! She loved the activities, said the food was good, had fun with teachers (especially the “attack” on Mr Lawerence when he fell asleep in the kayak was a highlight!), enjoyed the bonfire party, and I can go on. She loved every minute the trip!

Thank you so much for putting this all together. I know it takes a lot of effort into big lines and small details to arrange everything in a way that is both fun and safe. You have done amazing and I am sure the children will talk about the trip for a long time!   

from Year 3, Sylvia‘s parent

I’d love to say a big thank you for organizing and running a fantastic LeCamp trip for the kids. Sylvia was so excited about it still. And couldn’t stop raving about it yesterday- even when she was clearly tired, constantly rubbing her eyes. BTW, she loved kayaking the most(curious what the other kids would say about their favourite part of the trip.), but basically, all of it has been so much fun for her and the kids I know. Thank you all so much.  

The beautiful smiles on our children’s faces tell us everything. What we quite often find is that years after their graduation, our students might forget about some of their study experience in school, but they always remember those moments that they worked and played together during the residential trips. 

A life-long friendship is best nurtured during a trip, just like the Week without Walls. Well done everyone, to our students, staff and families.