Five lucky pupils on exchange programme

Johann Huebsch

FIVE boys from St George's Preparatory School are exploring the United Kingdom thanks to an exchange programme.

The excited youngsters, who left towards the end of September, are being hosted in the scenic town of Kent.

Andrew Christodoulou, 13, Mzolisi Dotwana, 13, Thivan Palani, 13, Blake Stephens, 12, and Ruben van der Wat, 13, were chosen to take part in the annual exchange programme aimed at broadening the educational experience offered at the school.

The select group of pupils are being hosted by families with children at Holmewood House school in Turnbridge Wells, Kent.

Speaking to The Herald at the airport before boarding, Shelley Hall, a teacher at St George's Preparatory School, who accompanied the boys on their journey, said she was looking forward to getting some fresh ideas on teaching to apply back home.

"I am really looking forward to seeing how the curriculum differs from what we have here, and comparing that, and how they integrate their smartboards in class," Hall said. The itinerary for the two-week stay in England includes watching a Manchester United match live at Old Trafford Stadium, munching on traditional fish and chips at Brighton Pier, sightseeing in London and attending a match played by the Brighton and Hove Albion soccer club.

"I am really excited to watch a Man United match live, I am a huge fan. I am also looking forward to seeing the other school," Christodoulou said.

"The Prep pupils have enjoyed their experience of school life in England and their hosts and teachers have complimented them on their being such polite, thoughtful and mature ambassadors for the Prep and South Africa," St Georges Prep head of marketing, Dawn Berry said.

"This will definitely be an experience that will give [them] some maturity. Experiencing other cultures, seeing how other people do things and comparing that to home," Andrew Christodoulo's father Mario Christodoulou, said.

The pupils return to PE this weekend.