2 October 2025
Dr Jessica Dixon, Head of Classics, DofE Manager
In July, nine students, Mrs Lane and I undertook a three-week expedition to Malaysian Borneo with group leader David, from Outlook Expeditions. We had a fantastic time exploring Borneo, but the best part was seeing the girls grow in confidence, compassion for others (and themselves), and build life-long friendships and memories.
There were three parts to the expedition - volunteering, adventure and exploration of Borneo’s biodiversity and culture. What made this expedition different to other school trips was that the girls took on leadership roles throughout, organising our day-to-day travel, food and budget once in country. It was an unforgettable experience for all of us, as you can tell from Ella, Annabelle and Liv’s reminiscences below.
Service Learning - Ella T, Lower Sixth
We undertook the volunteering section of our expedition in Tampat do Aman, a jungle camp at the very northern tip of Borneo. Our main task was building a chicken shed for owner Howard, a British man who is dedicated to supporting the local Rungus community. Howard and his team had already built 12 chicken huts for local families, and now the chickens in the camp needed their own hut. For three full days we all worked hard from morning till evening to build the hut - it was very hard, but very rewarding; and we got to play with the chicks! We also left a lasting memory of our time in Borneo by decorating a communal space with paintings of flowers and plants we had seen in the jungle.
We met another volunteer group from Australia who were incredibly kind, and we loved spending time together and playing Uno with the help of our head torches. We also often played with Howard’s two daughters, the younger of whom particularly enjoyed playing in the mud. It was amazing to feel such a strong sense of community with people from all around the world.
On our last day we had dinner by the ocean as the sun set and Howard shared touching personal stories of overcoming challenges and encouraged us to make the most of life and take all opportunities we can. Leaving the camp was hard; despite the loud geckos screaming at night, countless mosquito bites, and the very simple living conditions, it was such a meaningful time. After this experience, I understood why so many people return to Tampat do Aman again and again.
Adventure - Annabelle C, Upper Sixth
I will never forget our adventures in Borneo, especially our expedition through the jungle of Mount Kinabalu. Over three days we made our way through dense jungle, across rice paddy fields, and over rivers. We explored the beauty, and humidity, of Borneo’s diverse environment, whilst learning about the area and mountains from our expert local guides. Our trek took us around the base of the mountain, a route which had its challenges, including steep ascents through thick jungle and walking along narrow ridges. But it was all worth it for the incredible views we enjoyed along the way.
During the next part of our trip we explored the incredible wildlife that Borneo is known for. As a biology student, this was especially exciting for me as it highlighted the richness of the region’s biodiversity. We saw orangutans, crocodiles and the striking rhinoceros hornbill as we travelled upstream on river cruises. We also visited the sun bear sanctuary in Sepilok, where we saw the inspiring rehabilitation work being done to keep this keystone species in the wild.
Leadership - Liv B, Upper Sixth
What made this expedition so enjoyable is that we all took on different leadership roles, from day leaders to section leaders, overseeing areas such as finance or transportation. I oversaw transportation, which required careful planning and adaptability, as we took multiple forms of transport across varying terrains. I learned the importance of effective communication with others, as well as the value of money when working within budget constraints. The task was often challenging as public transportation was limited for our long journeys. Despite the difficulties, the experience was rewarding as I ensured that the whole team and our luggage were accommodated, making travel days as smooth as possible. By confirming transportation in advance and coordinating with drivers to align timings with our accommodation and journey lengths, we were able to maximise our time in and enjoyment of Borneo. Through these leadership opportunities, everyone learnt invaluable skills that we will use for the rest of our lives, and we grew in confidence to take on responsibilities and lead a team.
