Published on: 18 July 2024



















A group of our keen Marine Science students recently returned from an enriching SCUBA tour in Bali. The week-long trip was filled with a variety of activities aimed at fostering environmental stewardship and cultural appreciation.

Led by Science teachers Ms. Samantha Charlwood and Mr Brian Finnemore, and organised by Science teacher and Assistant Head of House (Queenslea) Mr Tom Shalders, the tour saw 13 Senior School students explore the island’s rich marine biodiversity. While diving and snorkelling, students conducted butterfly fish surveys, observed exotic marine life such as big eels, stonefish, turtles, lionfish, stingrays, mantis shrimp, and moray eels, and admired the vibrant coral formations and bombies.

Students were lucky to be guided by locals in the education of the reef. Local fishermen gave a presentation about the marine environment followed by a documentary screening of the history of Ornamental fishing in the village of Les, and the use of potassium cyanide that destroyed the reefs. This led into the beginning of the trip’s highlight – a coral restoration project. Students made substrates for young coral, repainted coral tables, and planted coral using a special underwater adhesive glue invented by a local. They also engaged in photo-measuring coral for scientific research, honing their skills with underwater slates and coral identification. Other activities included designing and planning artificial reefs, with creative concepts such as a pineapple, a three-tiered cake, a maze, and an underwater city.

When they weren’t underwater or working with their hands, the group played soccer with local children, visited traditional markets and a temple, enjoyed a cultural dance and musical instruments, devoured the Indonesian cuisine, and tried their luck fishing at dawn and dusk. A 5.45am start saw students getting their hands dirty with local salt farmers, mixing salt with mud to spread around a field and dry. 

On the final day, students visited a recycling centre to learn about how the locals manage organic and plastic waste and visited a community centre/college. Following a presentation on vermicompost, they each planted a juvenile eggplant stem, and tasted some herbs at the futuristic rooftop vegetable garden. To wrap up the week, the group reflected on their experience in Bali over a sunset trip on local fishing boats, spotting dolphins and porpoises.

The tour not only broadened students’ horizons but also underscored the importance of environmental stewardship and global citizenship. Students returned with a deeper understanding and skillset related to marine conservation and a greater appreciation for cultural diversity.