On our way home

After passing through passport and baggage claim- our savour Kate Smith and husband have collected us and we are en route to school. See you all soon 

Just landed

After an 11 hour flight and 12 days that will never be forgotten, we are on home soil. See you all soon 

The Man, the Myth, the Legend(s)

Words can't describe how amazing this experience has been and it wouldn't have been possible without such great teachers and the amazing Mr Evans. Mr Evans' enthusiasm is contagious and he's kept morale high from the offset. Not only has he ensured the trip runs smoothly, but has also been both a friend and a role model to us during this trip. Last nights final dinner was accompanied with heart felt speeches leaving everyone in tears and it was clear this remarkable adventure would be treasured by all. I speak on behalf of all the students in saying thank you to all the amazing teachers we have met here in South Africa, thank you to the teachers who worked so hard behind scenes to organise such an indescribable trip and a huge thank you to the teachers who have  been with us through this incredible journey!! We love you all xxxx

Final Call

Here is our final meal at Cape Town airport. Next stop UK - see you all soon 

Marius - What a Legend !!!!!

Marius - what can we say. He is the yum yum to our peanut butter, jam to our sandwhich and table to our mountain. For those unaware Marius is the gentleman who has had to put up with our excitement and screaming on this trip whilst taking us from place to place. I think we would all agree he makes this trip what it is. 

Thank you Marius, 

Last minute pre flight beach stop

After a long morning packing, Marius had a surprise quick stop at the beach for a final goodbye. What a perfect way to end the perfect trip 

Ash: Mentor, Friend, Bants in his Pants

Ashley Jones, a member of staff on this trip, has been more a brother and friend to us all than a teacher. The relationship we've built up with Ash has been truly special, and as he's mentored us through the wonders of South Africa it's been a joy to see him grow and develop as much as the rest of us. His excitability brings the best out of the group, encouraging and enthusing us to try new things and become more and more open and therefore enjoy the trip more than we would before.

    I think I speak on behalf of all 13 other members of the group when I say that Ash's enthusiasm has made this trip even more special than it already was. He has brought tears of both laughter and touched humility as he engages with the group on both a level of friend and banter companion and also mentor, father-figure and orator. Last night, his final speech left no dry eye in the house as he highlighted what this trip had meant to him. "To share this with you all," he said, "has been an experience I will never forget." Here he stopped, unable to continue for the tears in his eyes; seeing him open up to the group in this manner, baring himself before us and exposing his most personal feelings touched me to my core and spending that final night together may well have meant more to me than any conversation I've had for years. And Ash made that night: his perfect balance of teacher and colleague made it unforgettable. For this, I believe we shall forever be grateful.

    But, when it came to banter, Ash was in a league of his own. The one-liners, the running jokes, the ridiculous excitement: all of this and more than this brought the group together with Ash as mediator and chief of the laughter. What's more, he's so quick to follow and get the mood up; if ever we feel down or just need perking up he's there with a quip to get us crying with laughter. When on the night safari Mike mistook two signs and a gate for game Ash came right in with, "Well that's 3 of the Big 5" which had the whole bus pathetically trying to suppress giggles as we attempted not to scare away any animals in the dark. This led to Ash's gift last night, where we got him a child's hat with the Big 5 on; a running joke I shall never forget and always associate with this trip and especially with Ash.

    If I could say one thing, on a personal level, to Ash it would be this: thank you for making this trip more unforgettable than it would have been already, to have you beside us every step of the way made it incredibly special. 

AH

Walking on sunshine

Erin showed great confidence when singing in front of the children at Van Cutsem aged between 9 and 12. Although our students were slightly apprehensive and nervous at first, she was confident enough to introduce us and make the group feel more relaxed in leading the children when teaching them a song and nursery rhymes that we grew up with. She was enthusiastic with her singing - despite the cold she has had throughout most of the trip. Through-out the whole trip Erin has been open minded and willing to embrace any opportunity thrown at her which is admirable.

Our Last Activity 😥

It's not quite the London Eye, but the view from the Ferris wheel at The Waterfront accorded us a fabulous view of the 'tablecloth'; the mist on top of the mountain wraps itself around the craggy rock looking, as Alex B suggested, 'like a science experiment'.

Winter Beach Day

On our last day in paradise, we spent it, like most of the holiday, in bright sunshine. As you can see, the time on the beach starred Amber with her professional and slightly unique volleyball style.

Alex B

A short history of SA

From rock art to The Land Acts of 1913; natural history; virtual interactive globes and contemporary photographic exhibition - our students have had a comprehensive educational experience of this remarkable country.

The Lion King?

Alex excelled himself today by teaching a large group of students a song and dance that we had learnt from learners at Beaufort West. He embraced the chaos  and transformed himself into a variety of animals; bats and lions were included. Soon enough he had everyone singing and dancing along, with a few of the children carrying on the game well into the day! 

From SA with love ...

We brought over letters from our students in England addressed to the SA students and two classes, of varying ages, excitedly penned replies for us to bring home.  Hopefully we can keep the correspondence going when teachers from Van Cutsem join us later in the year.

De Doorns - Connecting Classrooms in action

Our final day teaching was both challenging and very rewarding. We started by delivering an assembly to the brave souls who had ventured into school despite the cold and not being required to be there, an impressive two hundred plus made it in. Once more our students led activities which were well pitched and well received. The staff also managed to connect with subject teachers in a very positive and productive way. We truly managed to connect classrooms in a very meaningful manner, a real privilege and honour to do so.

Final morning in De Doorns

As we awoke on our final day in De Doorns, we saw proof that winter only seems to last one day out here, although only just. In stark contrast to the clear blue sky and warmth in the air as we stepped outside, the mountainous horizon surrounding our accommodation was covered in a dusting of snow!!!! 

Winter has arrived - for one day

Having basked in the glory of South Africa's winter sun (25 degrees = hotter than UK ) it was about time we bright some UK weather to the trip. Although what it showed us is something to be remembered and could never damped our spirits and experiences. 

Cluedo

Having had some in depth conversations with students from Van Cutsem it was good to see the funny side of the students with a chocolate theft. 

In our version of cluedo, where it confused after much deliberation and questioning that it was Chloe, with a slight of hand in the mini bus. Much to the relief of Tabitha who finally received her hard earned milky bar. 

As the saying now goes and well justified. 

"The Milky Bar Kid is short and tough"