BSD Students Return from Cameron Highlands, Malaysia Completing Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Expedition

The recent expedition to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, undertaken as part of the The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award (DofE), was carefully designed to develop resilience, leadership and teamwork through sustained outdoor challenge.

As a key component of the award’s expedition section, our students were responsible for planning routes, navigating independently, carrying their own equipment and working collaboratively to complete a demanding multi-day trek.

Set within mountainous terrain and dense rainforest, the experience required participants to apply the skills developed during their training to authentic and often unpredictable conditions. Steep and uneven trails demanded considerable physical stamina, while high humidity and sudden tropical rainfall added further complexity for both Gold and Silver groups. Transporting heavy backpacks across extended distances tested perseverance, and navigating dense forest required precise map-reading and effective communication. Although moments of fatigue arose, these challenges strengthened problem-solving skills, reinforced group cohesion and fostered greater self-reliance and confidence.

By the end of the expedition, students had gained not only a strong sense of personal achievement but also a deeper appreciation for environmental responsibility and mutual respect, embodying the core values of the school and carrying these transferable skills forward into their academic studies and future endeavours.

We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to David Gibson, Hema Kosandar, Tania Schnetler, Sara Clapham, Eimear McDaid, Shelley Rasmussen, Jerry Flynn and Ray Rowe for their leadership, guidance and unwavering commitment in supporting our students throughout this remarkable journey.