On 29 July, sixth graders at Xavier Jesuit School in Banteay Meanchey province in Cambodia moved their classes off campus for an enjoyable learning journey. In the morning, around 70 students, accompanied by seven teachers and nine parent volunteers, headed to Banteay Chhmar Temple, an ancient site in the Angkorian period located 65 kilometres north of the city centre.

Divided into three groups and led by tour guides, the students circled the inner city and learned from the reliefs on the walls about the important wars, people’s lives, and Buddhist stories during the Angkorian Empire, which began in AD 802 until 1432. Students listened attentively, copied notes, and asked questions from time to time, showing a strong interest in learning about their cultural heritage.

In addition to this study activity, it was also the first graduation trip of the elementary school. After a relaxing picnic, the students played group games under the shade of the trees. Their incessant laughter brought a rare lively and joyful atmosphere to this quiet and quaint relic. Later, they went to a nearby artificial lake built to supply water to the temple. The lake covers an area of more than one square kilometer and still plays a role for local people after 800 years.

The success of the trip depended on the active participation of the teachers and parents. During the preparatory stage, the school received enthusiastic donations from the Parent Teachers’ Association to support the students’ drinks, snacks, and other needs for the journey. On the day itself, the parent volunteers assisted throughout the process, helping care for the students and distributing materials. The field trip fully reflected the nice cooperation between parents and the school in raising children. Xavier Jesuit School believes that outdoor class activities not only bring good memories to students, parents and teachers, but also provide valuable learning experiences. [Xavier Jesuit School]