A team of Bury Grammar School students have embarked on a 30-day adventure, trekking the awe-inspiring landscape of the Borneo jungle in Asia.

Nine eager students from the school took part in a five-day jungle trek, developing sustainable gardens, observing deforestation, spotting wildlife and mountain climbing.

The exhibition, led by Vice Principal Devin Cassidy, aimed to encourage students to appreciate the non-materialistic aspects of life and gain them greater understanding of other cultures.

Mr Cassidy said: "The experience has been superb but what counts is the students who waited three years, interrupted by Covid, and their development.  

"We hope we have broadened their horizons, encouraged them to appreciate the non-materialistic aspects of life a little more and inculcated a desire to understand people from different cultures in a non-judgmental way.

"The aim was also to develop an appreciation for teamwork, tolerance of others and get them active in conserving the precious world we inhabit."

The group’s itinerary included a five-day jungle trek sleeping in hammocks, bridge building, visiting Bako National Park, a night journey into the jungle and climbing Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Borneo.

Students encountered wildlife of all kinds from leeches, scorpions and deadly pit vipers to orangutans, flying lemurs, eagles, crocodiles and bearded pigs.

As a part of the amazing trip, the students took part in a jungle project to make a sustainable garden. 

They also organised sports activities on the beach for local children and flew on a twin-propeller aircraft into the jungle to observe the extent of deforestation.

The trip was planned to open the eyes of students and to stress the importance of having stories to tell over ‘stuff’ to show.

Mr Cassidy added: “I hope they appreciate that adventures are the best way to learn and that having stories to tell, not stuff to show will make them more fulfilled in life.

“I want them to have been inspired to travel through the inspirational characters we’ve met such as Sampson, our amazing local jungle guide and Howard, an ex-pat who has created an incredible jungle camp.

“I also hope that the team will travel in the future and can do so safely on a tight budget which will enable them to see so much more of the authentic country they pass through."

Mr Cassidy also praised the students, adding that they had been 'superb' company to travel with and navigated the highs and lows of international travel 'exceptionally well'.