Hello from Abroad!

November 18, 2016 | Girls’ College

Round Square Girls on Exchange

This year saw a record number of exchanges going out and visiting us. It was encouraging to note that in the current political uncertainty in most parts of the world South Africa was considered one of the “safer” options. We currently have a number of girls out on exchange. Here are some snippets from girls on exchange in the "land down under"...

Genevieve Robertson - Tasmania, Australia

I have been attending Scotch Oakburn college in Tasmania, Australia for almost five weeks now, I have been staying in the boarding house during the week and going home on weekends with my host Sophie Loane. Being in a co-ed environment during school is extremely different to what I have been used to at school as well as staying in the boarding house being around people 24/7.

The classes here are a bit different to what I am used to as they use laptops instead of textbooks and everything on your dash page is personalised to your subject choices and extra-curricular activities, in my opinion this works really well and no one ever loses their work or forgets a due date as the dash reminds you when your activities are due by. They also have many electives to choose from some of which include; working with children, cooking, sports science and many others. The school offer a wide variety of sports most the same as saints but some such as sailing, softball, table tennis, AFL, badminton, clay shooting and fitness.

The school times here are much later than what we have at Saints, the first bell goes at 8:30 and the second at 8:40 when the classes begin. Recess is at 10:20-10:40 and then you have another lesson as well as period 5 which functions as either chapel, house meetings, grade meetings, tutor or assembly. Lunch commences at 13:00 until 13:50, the school day ends a bit later then at saints at 15:30.

I have been fortunate enough to have travelled almost all over Tasmania visiting many places such as Wine Glass Bay. I have also recently attended a sea kayaking camp for five days in Freycinet where I visited many remote beaches along the coast, I made so many new friends as my host did not attend this camp with me.

Tasmania has been a real eye opener to me as my perception of Tasmania was a little different to what it really is. There are many trees and open farmland areas all over the state which is a big change to all the city lights, but I am definitely enjoying a change of scenery and all the peace and quiet. I am looking forward to my last few weeks here and will be extremely sad to leave.

Genevieve Robertson

Alexandra Botha - Sydney, Australia

My time in Australia has been truly amazing so far. I think the experience is vital to my development in my teenage years.

After two days in Sydney, we jetted off on a 4-hour 5am flight to Cairns. From Cairns we drove to Port Douglas, our home for the next week. My time in Port Douglas was absolutely amazing. We spent the truly tropical days on beautiful beaches, in shady rainforests or by the pool. About half way through our time there we went out on a boat to the Great Barrier Reef to explore what beauty the ocean had to offer.

Once we had returned, we still had another week before school resumed. I spent this week exploring the city, meeting new people and visiting the beaches of Sydney.

AB1 — Alexandra Botha with classmates from Sydney

The past week of school has consisted of what the school calls "City Experience Week". This week is purely to develop skills for life after school. On Monday, we had a guest speaker speaking to us about nutrition. It was a full day seminar with meals that he had prepared for us in between. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we toured three universities in order to get a better understanding of what it would look like to study in the future. The universities broke down the fields and courses and spoke about what is required to enter each course as well as extra-curricular activities that they each offer. Today, we had another guest speaker who came and spoke to us about rape, how to defend ourselves and what to do in tricky situations. I have never learnt so much from listen to one person speak as I have today. Tomorrow we will be have another guest speaker present to us about having a brighter future.

Tomorrow evening is also the year 10 formal which everyone is looking forward to.

City Experience week is definitely something that I will value forever. I can't wait to find out what the next few weeks have in store for me.

Alexandra Botha