Overseas tours and community service projects are part of the comprehensive and holistic educational experiences offered at our School.
There are several tours available, all offering very different experiences.
Humanitarian & service tours
Our students are compassionate and they take a personal responsibility in finding ways to build human capacity in communities less fortunate than our own.
Their focus on helping others is part of the HVGS ideology and the values that are embedded in their education are evident on these tours.
Zimbabwe Service Project
In 2015, we pioneered a community service trip to the rural Jabulani School in Zimbabwe. The biennial tour has an incredible impact on participating students and they return with a new perspective about the world and how they can contribute positively to it.
Prior to departing for Zimbabwe students undertake fundraising activities so they can build facilities for the Jabulani school and gift educational resources to the students.
In 2017 students on the tour built the school a new library. In 2019 we’ll be constructing an outdoor classroom/ reading room for students at Jabulani School.
Our annual golf day also supports Jabulani with all money raised going straight back into the project.
Thanks to a generous donation, one lucky HVGS student has been offered a scholarship to attend the tour.
Vietnam Community Service Project
Giving back to others is an important aspect of this tour.
Our students raise funds to purchase materials and then help build houses for local families and make improvements to local schools. It’s an incredibly humbling experience for students and an experience that we hope stays with them a lifetime.
Over six trips, students and teachers have built eleven houses.
The next Vietnam trip departs in 2020.
Take a closer look at the Vietnam Community Service Project and see the incredible impact it has on our students and the families they help.
Cultural tours
Our cultural tours broaden students school experience and deepen their understanding of the world and their place in it. Learning really takes on a whole new meaning when students can physically experience the places, culture and people beyond a textbook.
Australian Tours
Northern Territory Adventure
For the first time in 2018, HVGS ventured out to the red centre on the Northern Territory Tour. This biennial tour spends eleven days discovering some of Australia’s most iconic natural landmarks, and revels in stunning landscapes and indigenious cultural experiences.
Asian Tours
Japan Tour
Konichiwa! Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima all wait to be explored by students on the Japan tour.
Run biennially students experience the history and culture of Japan on this ten day adventure.
Open to students in Years 7-11 the tour has been described by students as ‘the trip of a lifetime’.
Exquisite China Tour
In April 2020 students and teachers will depart for China for the first time. This tour will explore Chinese culture, iconic landmarks and of course, food!
This tour is open to students in Years 7 – 11.
European Tours
European Discovery Tour
HVGS enjoys a reciprocal relationship with sister school Erasmus Gymnasium in Grevenbroich, Germany.
Every second year students in Years 7-12 have the opportunity to join the European Discovery Tour to visit our friends at Erasmus.
While in Europe students stay with a host family from Erasmus and travel through Germany, Switzerland and France.
Another exciting extension of this tour is the return visit from students and teachers from Erasmus to HVGS for a two-week homestay experience.
European Cultural Tour
The European Cultural Tour is perfect for students in Years 7- 12 who are interested in art and history.
Travelling through Italy and the UK, students can experience the incredible sites of Pompeii, Capri, Rome, Florence, Milan, London and Salisbury and visit world-class museums, city adventures and farm stays.
Students on the 2018 European Cultural Tour
Sporting & music tours
From time to time students take their talents on the road – nationally or internationally.
In 2017, HVGS embarked on our first overseas music experience to the Rhapsody Rotorua Music Festival in New Zealand. Two of our students were selected from 600 students to perform solos, which just affirms the talent of HVGS music students and why trips such as this are valuable learning experiences.
“The trip pushed me just out of my comfort zone, but never in a way that was scary – always fun, exciting and new.”
