Team building, bonding for teachers on trip

 By ALEX RANGRANG

SIXTEEN Gordon International School teachers travelled to Cairns, Australia, on June 22 for a week-long professional development experience. 

The teachers were led by principal Raphael Sapea and the two deputy principals. 

Gordon International is one of the schools operated by the International Education Agency. 

The professional experience took place at Mungalli Falls Outdoor Education Centre located in the tropical Atherton Tableland which is approximately two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Cairns city. 

The trip involved sessions and team building activities such as first aid, bonding sessions to build collaborative skills such as robe walk, archery, rafting, canoeing, land  slide and heritage site visits. 

At the end of the trip, the teachers visited an Aboriginal cultural park, the Tjapukai.

It was a chance for them to see how culture is preserved and taught to younger people and the community at large.  

At the park, the teachers got the chance to throw the famous boomerang, spear throwing and participated in dances, stone and face painting and storytelling. 

Most of the teachers found the experience enriching and valuable.  

The Mungalli Falls outdoor education centre is an ideal venue for retreat and education. 

It is set in a tranquil and breathtaking environment in the tropics. 

The teachers have found it appropriate for them to bring their students to enjoy the facilities and programme and believe that such an experience will teach children to develop team building and social skills, discipline in an enjoyable way. 

The trip was a rewarding 

learning experience and gave insight and experience for several that travelled overseas for the first time. 

There are plans underway to bring the Grade 5 students and Grade 8 students to the outdoor education centre during the year. 

• Alex Rangrang is a teacher at Gordon International School