Making a Difference: Year 5’s Community Action at LooLa

Our Year 5 learners recently returned from an incredible residential trip to LooLa Eco Adventure Resort in Bintan, Indonesia. It was a week defined by community spirit, personal challenges, and meaningful service, as our learners stepped out of their comfort zones and into the heart of the local community.

From a smooth ferry crossing to the final activity sessions, the energy was high. The trip provided a perfect balance of high-octane adventure and purposeful environmental and community work.

Highlights of the Trip

Our itinerary was packed with hands-on learning and new experiences:

• The WASH Project (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene): Perhaps the most impactful part of the trip, learners travelled to a local village to help install sanitary systems in the homes of local families. This gave our learners a firsthand look at global issues regarding clean water access and allowed them to make a tangible difference.
• Environmental Exploration: Groups engaged in marine walks, mangrove planting, and water quality testing, learning about the delicate ecosystems of the Bintan coastline.
• Physical Challenges: Learners tested their bravery and coordination on the climbing walls, the Skywalk, and the high-flying Flying Fox.
• Teamwork & Tradition: From raft building and kayaking in the sea to “Coconut Experiences” (where learners discovered how coconuts are harvested and used), every activity required communication and collaboration.
• The LooLa Olympiad: Friendly competition took centre stage during the team sports tournaments, where learners cheered each other on with great spirit.

Allowing Learners to Grow Beyond the Classroom

This trip served as a vital opportunity for personal growth and collective responsibility:

• Global Citizenship & Empathy: Through the WASH project, learners showed immense maturity. They worked respectfully alongside community members, developing a deeper understanding of life outside their own familiar environments.
• Independence: For many, managing their own belongings, keeping their dorms tidy (congratulations to the girls for winning the tidiest dorm inspection!), and navigating a busy schedule away from home was a significant step forward.
• Resilience: Whether it was adapting to “camp life” or overcoming a fear of heights on the Skywalk, our Year 5s proved they could handle challenges with a positive attitude.
• Connection: Evening reflection sessions became a cornerstone of the trip, allowing learners to share their highlights, celebrate each other’s achievements, and strengthen friendships across the entire year group.

A Journey to Remember

We are incredibly proud of how our learners represented the Nexus community. They returned to Singapore not just with stories of adventure, but with a sense of pride in the service they provided to others.

A massive thank you to the dedicated staff team—Mr Rick, Mr Willy, Mr Mustafa, Mr Gerry, Ms Smith, Dr Carmen, Ms Dale, Ms Jenny, Ms Suzie, Ms Kate, Ms Linda, Ms Fiona, Ms Theresa, and Ms Eloisa—and the LooLa instructors for making this life-changing experience possible.

Our Year 5 learners returned tired, but full of smiles, having proven just how much they can achieve when they embrace a new challenge together!

Find out more about how school trips at Nexus bring learning to life in the real world here.