King’s Lynn Springwood High students enjoy trip of a lifetime in Thailand Global Citizenship partnership with Challenges Abroad and FutureSense Foundation

Students have enjoyed an adventure of a lifetime when they travelled to Thailand for two weeks of volunteering.

They spent their time working with children at a Thai primary school and caring for rescued elephants in a sanctuary.

The Year 12 students from Springwood High School, West Norfolk Academies Trust, were participants in the Thailand Global Citizenship Programme, a scheme run by Challenges Abroad in partnership with international development charity FutureSense Foundation.

Accompanied by three members of staff, the 15-strong group flew to Thailand’s Chiang Mai airport, before transferring to Mae Sariang, where they spent the first week of their trip teaching pupils at Ban Kupuang (KP) School about climate change issues.

Bailey Thompson, a student at Springwood said: “Being able to go into a school and deliver workshops was an amazing experience.”

“It gave me the opportunity to learn more about the culture and gave me a great sense of achievement.

“Gaining the skills to still be able to interact with people with the language barrier was an extremely rewarding experience.”

The group returned to Chiang Mai for the second half of the trip, which saw them head 60km outside of the city to work at Thailand’s world-famous Elephant Nature Park, which is home to more than 100 endangered Asian elephants, along with other rescued animals.

Rosie Clark, another Springwood student said: “The second week in the Elephant Nature Park was an amazing experience.

“Seeing the rescued elephants in a natural and safe environment, and being able to help around the park was an experience I won’t forget.”

Fellow student Freddie Burt said: “The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it was fantastic to experience a new culture and to develop a better idea of how to be a global citizen.

“My favourite part was getting to be so close to the elephants and catering for them after hearing how poorly mistreated they were in the past.

“I feel the trip helped me to get out of my comfort zone and to do something I would very rarely get the chance to do.”

Libby Coe said: “I would say I had the most amazing time, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity for such an eye-opening experience.”

Springwood maths teacher Simon Levy, who led the trip said: “The students worked relentlessly with limited resources and far beyond their comfort zones to help deprived communities.

“They grew in confidence, leading projects and supporting colleagues, while also learning practical skills that will set them up for life.”

Lynne Franklin, sixth form pastoral manager said: “We are so proud of our students, who all fully engaged with the diversity and cultural challenges of this memorable trip.

“They made a huge step on their global citizenship journey.”