Week Without Walls 2025
Information provided by the trip leads: Ms Maria Villaescusa and Mr Matthew Grech
Week Without Walls 2025
Across mountains, lakes, and winding forest paths, this year’s Week Without Walls asked students to learn differently, to look outward with curiosity and inward with self-awareness.
Whether cycling beside mist-veiled water, building pathways for local communities, or navigating a ropes course suspended above the ground, every challenge revealed something new about what it means to grow.
Each year, this programme invites DHSZ students to explore the world beyond the classroom, to build relationships, develop independence, and apply learning in motion. This year, Lin’an and Qiandao Lake became classrooms of their own, where lessons in confidence, responsibility, collaboration, and empathy unfolded naturally through shared experience.
Qiandao Lake: Confidence Through Discovery
For Year 11, IG1, and PAL students, the trip to Qiandao Lake unfolded as a balance between adventure and reflection.
Day 1 began with a visit to an apiary, where students observed the intricate process of honey-making, a reminder of patience and cooperation in nature.
Day 2 tested balance and bravery through kayaking and high ropes courses, with students cheering each other on through every obstacle.
Day 3 brought endurance and creativity: a 14-kilometre cycle along the shimmering lakeside, followed by DIY bag-making and woodworking, where design met perseverance. Many students pushed themselves far beyond their comfort zones. For some, it was their first time kayaking; for others, their first long-distance ride. What united them was the quiet determination to try, and the collective strength found in support from peers.
PAL student Jim S shared, “The trip to Qiandaohu was breathtaking. The clear lake helped me relax, and the boat tour around the islands let me get close to its beauty and history. My favourite moment was the buffet dinner with classmates; we really had such great fun together.” whereas Yoyo H added: "The outdoor activities were particularly fascinating，even if I accidentally fell into the water, kayaking was still fun."
IG1 student Haohao M added, “The cycling day was unforgettable. It was a little rainy and cool, and as we rode along the lake, I felt completely at peace and closer to nature.”
Kyan W also shared: "3W trip changed me a lot. I don’t really know why, maybe it’s just growth and life."
Mr Matthew Grech described the group's spirit as a model of responsibility and maturity: students arrived punctually at every activity, supported one another even in mixed groups, and balanced the freedom of being away with the discipline of representing their school. By the end of the trip, confidence had deepened into self-assurance, and unfamiliar faces had turned into genuine friendships.
Lin'an: Empathy in Action
Meanwhile, Year 10 students journeyed to Lin'an, where they discovered how collaboration can turn effort into impact. This trip marked their first-ever Week Without Walls, and for many, it was a week of firsts, first time kayaking, first time hiking long distances, and first time working together on a shared goal outside the classroom.
From paddling across calm waters and cycling a 14-kilometre route around Qingshan Lake to building a bamboo pathway for local farmers and hikers, the experience combined adventure with purpose. The project demanded teamwork, patience, and awareness of community needs, an embodiment of responsibility and empathy in action.
Their team-building day on the beach revealed leadership in unexpected forms: the student who listened carefully, the one who encouraged others to try again, and the group that turned competition into cooperation. For many, these moments of quiet connection became the most memorable parts of the journey.
Letizia H reflected, “During the trip, the most memorable moment was the last day. We rode our bicycles, climbed a hill, and helped build a road for future hikers. Although I was exhausted, the hike taught me something important: that difficult things become meaningful when you persist. Even though everyone felt tired, we all pushed ourselves to finish what we started. This trip also made me realize how fortunate I am. I will always remember the small moments, like making a kayak together with classmates I hadn't known before."
Evelyn X shared, “My favourite part of the trip was kayaking, building our own boats, playing on the water, and enjoying the natural views with my classmates. We worked together as a team in every activity, from making boats and cycling to building roads and joining the Beach Olympics. I didn't just do these things with my friends, but also with classmates I hadn't known before, and that made our achievements feel even more special. Although I didn' know my roommate at first, we quickly became close, cared for each other, and shared wonderful free time together. Through this trip, I learned new skills, built friendships, and understood the importance of teamwork, independence, and staying active. The Week Without Walls was truly a meaningful experience.”
Eileen X wrote, “Many moments left a deep impression on me. The activities we took part in were things I had never experienced before, carrying bamboo up the mountain, helping to clear a wild trail, and cycling nearly 18 kilometers around Qingshan Lake. At first, I was disappointed that I wasn't sharing a room with my friend, but as the days went by, my roommate and I became very good friends. This trip taught me to be open-minded and adaptable. I truly cherish this experience and am already looking forward to the next Week Without Walls.”
Angela W added, “Building our own boats and constructing steps up the mountain with bamboo helped me develop perseverance and problem-solving skills. Cycling was also one of my favourite parts, it allowed me to enjoy the scenery while staying active. Through these experiences, I learned to face challenges with a stronger will and discovered that teamwork makes every task more rewarding. Overall, I had an amazing time on this trip.”
Beatrice F recalled, “The most unforgettable part of the Week Without Walls for me was definitely building the raft! It wasn't just an activity, it improved our DIY skills and strengthened the bond between me and my teammates. We learned how to build a raft from scratch and even got to try it out on the lake. It was fantastic, and I'll never forget that moment.”
Jenny Y concluded, “Although the journey was challenging, I gained so much from it. My favorite moments were the times when my friends and I chatted and sang together during our breaks. In those moments, we didn't have to think about anything stressful, we could simply enjoy the present. I feel very lucky to have had this experience in my life.”
Ms Maria Villaescusa spoke of how students returned not just tired, but transformed, more aware of themselves and of what they could achieve together.
DHSZ Values
Across all destinations, Week Without Walls 2025 reaffirmed that the most lasting lessons happen when students step beyond certainty. Every hike, paddle, and shared laugh became an expression of the DHSZ Values: confidence in facing unfamiliarity, responsibility in every choice, collaboration through mutual support, and empathy that turns teamwork into community.
In the calm of a lake, the rhythm of a climb, or the simple act of showing up for one another, this year's Week Without Walls reminded us that learning isn't confined by walls but built every time students choose to grow.
