2026 Cambodia Service Trip
During the Term 2 holidays, students and staff from Ivanhoe Grammar School embarked on the 2026 Cambodia Service Trip, continuing a proud tradition of global learning and service. Now in its third decade, the program fosters character and global leadership through long-standing partnerships with communities in Phnom Penh and the Siem Reap region.
Arriving in Cambodia on 19 June, students were immediately immersed in a new environment, navigating the challenges of heat and fatigue with resilience. In Phnom Penh, they began teaching at local schools, delivering English lessons and engaging with enthusiastic young learners. These early experiences prompted reflection, deepening appreciation for their own learning environments while also building confidence and adaptability.
‘Despite the humble setting, the kids were incredibly enthusiastic, open-minded, and eager to learn and engage with us. We started off teaching a smaller group of 11- 12-year-olds. We covered fruit and animals, including vocabulary, sentence structures, and drawings. Everyone was so attentive; it was a truly rewarding experience,’ said students Zara and Harvey.
The teams also explored Cambodia’s rich cultural history, visiting landmarks including the Royal Palace and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. These experiences were both confronting and formative, encouraging students to develop a deeper understanding of the country and its people. In Siem Reap, the program shifted to an immersive village experience in Rolous. Living alongside local families, students contributed to building projects, like constructing new community spaces and learning traditional skills such as bamboo weaving. Days were physically demanding yet rewarding, as students worked collaboratively despite the challenging conditions.
‘Our time in Cambodia has been nothing short of extraordinary. Coming into this trip, we thought it was all about the service that we could provide to the Cambodian kids, but we quickly learnt that it was just as much about them teaching us and ultimately forming new relationships and memories that will serve us a lifetime,’ said students from Team 1.
A highlight of the 2026 project was the establishment of a new global partnership with Roots Cambodia, supporting the construction of a four-classroom school in Rolous Village. With the support of the Old Ivanhoe Grammarians’ Association and the commitment of our students, the new facility replaces a single-classroom building and was completed ahead of schedule, expanding educational opportunities for local children. In recognition of its impact, the service trip was also awarded a 2026 Promising Practise Award by Character.org.
The 2026 Cambodia Service Project exemplifies Ivanhoe Grammar School’s commitment to developing young people of character. It is an experience that extends beyond service, inspiring students to engage with the world with empathy, humility and a genuine desire to contribute.
