The boys had an incredible experience in South africa. We took two teams and each team played six matches. The boys really enjoyed meeting the South African teams and being hosted by lots of different families. It was a great way to find out more about South Africa - its culture and its people. We visited Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Shakaland and other highlights included an amazing safari in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, the waterparks in Durban and visiting the township school outside Durban where we all sang with the children.
We are very grateful to all the hosts, their families, players, organisers and our bus driver for helping to make memories that will last a lifetime.
The boys shared with us their experiences:
"An unforgettable experience. I feel so lucky. I didn't want it to be over. "
"I want to go back... safari was incredible, brilliant times with my mates in the water park, cricket was great. Fantastic memories"
“Awesome cricket, incredible safari and seeing the townships made me realise how lucky we are and taught us to appreciate what we take for granted. "The best two weeks of my life."
“We were living the dream, travelling in tour kit, superb dusty cricket every day, hanging with old mates and new friends, awesome fun teachers having a laugh with us on crazy water slides and epic animals. And It was all real!”
"The 'host families' were very welcoming and kind making me dippy or scrambled eggs each morning.”
“The cricket tour was the highlight of the year." “We all felt like a family.”
“The cricket was great, our hosts were really really nice and I loved the safari. Our teachers are really cool and I didn’t have to shower every day.”
"One of the most enjoyable experiences of my life, I wish I had another week. I will never forget this trip, the best times ever."
"I loved every second - waterslides insane, safari awesome and going to the township schools and meeting all the kids was such a humbling experience.”
"It was an extraordinary opportunity and I loved all of it from start to finish. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm glad that I got the chance to go.“
"The best two weeks of my life - I could not believe how quickly it went - I was not ready to come home."
"It is probably the best thing I’ve ever done. There wasn’t anything that we did that wasn’t fun!’
"It will take days/weeks/months/years to truly appreciate the value of such an incredible experience, from the intercultural immersion to the personal challenges that were overcome. In such a crucial academic year there is no doubt that these boys have 'grown up' and will be better prepared for the challenges ahead, both at Westbourne House School and beyond. Visiting a Zulu township school was the highlight for many, providing a perspective that may have a profound impact on the opportunities they have and how they can help those less fortunate than themselves."
Mr Brown, one of the teachers on this amazing journey
Tour leader Mr Hanley: "What an amazing cricket tour to South Africa. So much more than just cricket and amazing to see each child grabbing every opportunity with both hands. There is so much to be learnt and experienced beyond the sport on trips like this and memories to be made that we hope will last forever."
The boys' parents, after two weeks without their children:
One parent said: "It is obvious the trip has changed my son - he is more confident and independent. Also, more domesticated!!!"
"It was a lot of money to raise for the tour and rightly the boys had to work hard to fund it as did their parents. But it was worth every penny. An experience they will never forget."
Another parent added: "It is a testament to the confidence that Westbourne House School instills in its pupils that my son could go so far away from home brimming with self-belief, enthusiasm and a can do attitude. He fully engaged with the packed itinerary which was a carefully crafted balance between sport, cultural activities and fun. He came home extremely thankful of the opportunity given him, having had his eyes opened to a wider world. Such shared experiences have deepened the friendships between the boys and created a wealth of happy memories for the rest of their lives. I am deeply grateful for the care the Westbourne House School staff have shown my son over the last two weeks and that they see the value in sacrificing time with their own families to fully embrace the responsibility of facilitating such extra curricular trips."
