The return leg of our Year 7 Exchange to Cape Town, South Africa took place at the start of this term. On a cold Thursday morning a group of very excited Year 7 boys from Bishop’s arrived at Dulwich Prep and immediately set off into London on an Open Top bus tour! 7 hours later, they returned to school (freezing but happy) to meet up with their hosts and renew friendships that had been established in February.
Over the course of their two week stay with us, the boys were fully immersed in school life enjoying academic lessons, cooking, drama and even representing us at cricket. In addition to this they spent days out experiencing a culture in London that is very different from Cape Town.
Both boys and staff had a tremendous time with us and felt exceptionally welcomed by the families who received them. When in Cape Town our boys preferred the school day there and the Bishop’s boys reported that they preferred our varied day and having sport and clubs included within the timetable. A true sign of a successful trip is when the boys do not want to leave despite having been away from home for an extended period and this is perhaps the best time to whisk them home!
Thank you to the staff who spent time with the Bishop’s tour party and a massive thank you to all the hosting families who showed the Bishop’s boys an amazing time.
Here is an extract from a letter received from one of the Bishops parents – clearly the exchange was a worthwhile experience!
Dear Mr Roulston,
Gary and myself would like to sincerely thank you and your staff for the most fantastic experience that our son, Cole, has just had at Dulwich Preparatory. Cole’s accounts of the time spent in the classroom, on the sports fields and in the playground has been told with much exuberance and a very big smile. Thank you for all the organisation, for including them in some of the sports matches and practices and for making him feel so welcome. We could not have asked for better hosts. The families have been the most loving, fantastic families anyone could have hoped for and we know that the boys are going to be friends for life. Please know that should any of them make their way here again, that we would absolutely love to have them back for a stay.
When we fetched Cole from the airport and asked if there was anything he would have changed, he said that he would have liked it to have been longer.
Thank you wholeheartedly for everything.
Warm Regards, Pippa and Gary
