Wellacre’s Adventures in South Africa

Posted at 3:04 pm on 6th March, 2018

AfriTwin 2018 - Sharing Education Together

In February 2018, Wellacre students travelled to Durban, KwaZula Natal and Cape Town, South Africa for the culmination of their exciting AfriTwin adventure.

The students Jack Rogers, Year 10, Alex Blakeley Year 9, Dylon Small Year 8 and Callum Heaton, also Year 8, have been part of the AfriTwin exchange programme, which runs over a two year period.

Lead by Mrs Eagling, Assistant Leader of Maths, and Mr Wise, Cover Supervisor, the AfriTwin initiative first invited the exchange students from Ferrum High School, South Africa, to visit the UK and stay with participating host families in June 2017.   

During the most recent second part of the initiative, Wellacre’s students travelled to South Africa to enjoy a three week schedule of cultural activities, sightseeing tours and a stay with their host family.

The incredible trip included a wealth of activities and experiences including a Durban beachfront bike ride, a visit to Ushaka Marine World where students swam with sharks, a tour of Howick Falls and Nelson Mandela’s monument, a trip to Fort Ameil and Mount Amajuba to learn a little about the Boer war, a visit to a lion farm and a short safari, a boat trip to Robben Island, a cable car ride up Table Mountain, and finally, a tour of Cape Town.

Mrs Eagling, said:  “The AfriTwin experience is a wonderful and unique opportunity for the students.  This year, Wellacre students have again made the very most of their three weeks in South Africa and were energetic, inquisitive and engaged throughout - they were a pleasure to travel with.”

Jack, Alex, Dylon and Callum were fantastic ambassadors for the school.  When they met and stayed with their host families everyone was thrilled and the boys were made to feel very welcome.”

As part of the programme, the group visited Wellacre’s adoptive township school, Chelmsford Primary and learnt from the Headmaster Mervin that the school operates on a tight budget, receiving an equivalent of £100 per year for each learner.  Wellacre students donated pens, pencils, chalk, pencil cases, sports kit and boots, and vowed to continue with fundraising to pay for the renovation of more classrooms.

The AfriTwin initiative ensures students benefit from a clearer understanding of other cultures, a development of good citizenship skills, forging of new friendships, improved communication skills and opportunities to learn alternative skills and values.  The AfriTwin adventure builds pride, self-esteem and personal growth for all students.

About the Afritwin Exchange Programme

Afritwin is an exchange programme that Wellacre has been involved with since 2005.  Wellacre is linked with Ferrum High School in Newcastle, KwaZula Natal. To date there has been six complete cycles of exchange, with Ferrum learners coming to stay with us in Manchester and our students making reciprocal visits to Newcastle.  All exchanges have been extremely successful.

As part of the exchange programme, Wellacre and Ferrum have ‘adopted’ an under-equipped township school called Chelmsford Primary.  Extensive fundraising is underway to improve the learning environment of those learners in Chelmsford.

Find out more about AfriTwin 2019/20

If you're interested in taking part in AfriTwin 2019/20, please contact Mrs Eagling on leagling(at)wellacre.org or call 0161 748 5011 for more information.