A GROUP of 30 pupils from Hillcrest High School, who belong to a pupil exchange programme with two schools in Britain, is desperately trying to raise funds for a two-week visit to England at the end of this year.
According to Jenny Steyler, the teacher in charge of the AFRIBRIT group, the programme has been running for nine years since 2006. Hillcrest High School had partnered with County High School Leftwich, which is in Northwich, Cheshire in 2006 and recently started the programme with Kirby Stephen Grammar School, which is in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria.
To the pupils, the exchange programme is not just a visit to get hosted by a school and family abroad, they actually study in the classroom, and travel to venues of interest to learn about that country. The idea is to learn about different cultures, schools and to share and exchange ideas.
“Each year is different – one year they come to us and the next year we go to them, but the recent exchange rate made if difficult for our pupils to participate in the programme. The estimated cost for a pupil to participate in the programme is R20 000 per child. However, even though it’s a steep amount to raise, the pupils are committed to the fundraising events I have planned for the year,” said Steyler.
To raise funds for this year’s programme, the pupils have planned its first fundraising event, the AFRIBRIT family fun day at the Inanda Road sports field in Hillcrest this Saturday 15 March from 10am to 4pm.
Other fundraising events for the year include cake sales at school, a screening of the FA Cup final in May, a photography competition titled, My SA, and a car wash. The photography competition is between Hillcrest High School pupils and the schools in England. The pupils abroad will take photos that fit with their subject, My England. Pupils in both countries will choose the best photos to compile a calendar at the end of the year, which will be sold to generate more funds.
The AFRIBRIT group has also planned to host an international food festival during the last school term. The pupils will set up stalls of food from different countries.
“Our group also raises funds for community projects such as Sithembakuye Community and assists with the school’s cancer walk and the Angel Tea,” said Steyler.
The pupils of the AFRIBRIT group are urging the community to support the family fun day this Saturday, to help them achieve an opportunity of a lifetime.
