BSQ Week Without Walls1. Philosophy

Residential trips are an extremely valuable part of the education that we offer at The British School Quito. They provide students with an opportunity to participate in new and diverse activities in challenging new settings. Experiential learning in a meaningful context is one of the most powerful and exciting approaches to learning and on our trips students have the opportunity to undergo experiences not available to them in the classroom. Advancing student’s investigative skills whilst engaging in inquiry based learning is fundamental to our teaching and learning principles. In addition residential trips allow students to develop greater cohesion amongst their peers and teachers. They are also an important way in which students learn skills for greater independence. When the students return from residential trips they will have made progress with a range of new skills and have benefited from new experiences. Students will have the opportunity to enrich their learning by relating it to the real world. In Ecuador, one of only seventeen megadiverse countries in the world, we are fortunate to have a wide range of environments and places of interest available to us here in the Pichincha province as well as further afield into other areas of the country.

2. Themes

1. Community and Social Awareness- Student will be;- Open Minded- Caring- Communicators- Reflective

2. Experiential Learning and Environmental Awareness -Students will be;- Inquirers- Knowledgeable- Thinkers- Reflective

3. Action and Physical Challenge - Students will be;- Risk takers- Balanced - Principled- Engaged in activities that are physically challenging

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3. Trips and Objectives

Year 4 (28th September)

Theme 1- To feel a sense of team work within the class and the community. Students will work collaboratively and in a spirit of cooperation throughout the week.

- Developing positive working relationships with others.

- Students will build independence and self confidence by having greater control of their own environment and making their own decisions.

Theme 2- Make decisions that have real, not hypothetical results.

- Understand and appreciate their own capacity to make a difference.

- Appreciate and care about the environment.

Theme 3- Partake in activities that are unique, challenging, different and fun.

- Students approach uncertainty and the unknown with planning, determination and trust.

Year 6 (12th October)

Theme 1- To develop a sense of team work within the class and the community. Throughout the week Students will work collaboratively and in a spirit of cooperation with each other, their teacher and other members of the community.

- Student will be curious about the cultures and social issues of the host country.

- Appreciate and understand the work that people do in order to create a more international minded community.

Theme 2 - Develop awareness for how their choices and decisions affect the environment.

- Develop skills to solve problems.

Theme 3 - Partake in activities that are unique, challenging, different and fun.

- Students approach uncertainty and the unknown with planning, determination and trust.

- Students take responsibility for their actions and their consequences.

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Year 8 (28th September)

Theme 1- To achieve positive results and outcomes as a class team. Throughout the week students will develop and improve their skills for collaborative work and cooperation.

- Understand that humans have intrinsic worth regardless of differences

- Work and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, life styles and cultures

Theme 2- To have greater understanding of the complexity and interconnectedness of the environment

- Take action to preserve and protect the environment

- Make decisions that have real, no hypothetical results

Theme 3- Partake in activities that are unique, challenging, different and fun

- Students approach uncertainty and the unknown with planning, determination and trust

- Students use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action

Year 10 (12th October)

Theme 1- Work and communicate effectively and sensitively with people from diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and cultures.

- Understand that social injustice is caused by personal and cultural prejudice as well as economic disparity.

Theme 2- To take action by designing and participating in environmental issues

- Develop a sense of responsibility and accountability for their actions

- Students will nurture their curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research.

Theme 3 - Partake in activities that are unique, challenging, different and fun.

- Students approach uncertainty and the unknown with planning, determination and trust.

- Students will work together to solve problems in order to overcome physical difficulty and resource limitations.

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Year 12 (19th October)

Theme 1- Students develop understanding and concern for social justice and equality as well as the rights for all people.

- Students take action and work in a spirit of cultural exchange with people from diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and cultures.

Theme 2- Experiential Learning and understanding/inquiry into the environment/communication.

- To see and appreciate the application of academic learning and personal or social skills to real life.

- To take action by investigating and documenting an environmental issue.

Theme 3- Partake in activities that are unique, challenging, different and fun.

- Students approach uncertainty and the unknown with planning, determination and trust.

- Students will successfully independently overcome physical difficulty and resource limitations.

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