SFX Student Trips in 2012
SFX Travel and Tourism students, along with students from other subject areas, took part in the first ever SFX trip to Znojmo in the Czech republic and as part of their CAS (Creativity, Action & Service) programme, this year’s first year International Baccalaureate Diploma students spent two weeks in India.
Znojmo in the Czech Republic
Led by SFX Head of Learning Support Sarah Hopp, the trip took the opportunity to forge links with both the local grammar school and also the police in Znojmo. “ I contacted our Community Police Officer Darren Hawkett and he fixed up for Commissioner Med from Znojmo to visit Scotland Yard and he then decided he’d like to come back to Znojmo along with our students.” Whilst in Znojmo our students had the opportunity to sample a fascinatingly different culture as well as finding out about education and policing in the Czech republic. HF faculty student Bradley Wilson commented; “It was a great trip – I really enjoyed seeing how people live in a different cultural environment – I quite liked the hog roast we had, but then I’ll try any kind of food! The Czech language was quite hard but it was really interesting when they opened up a castle especially for us and we felt really privileged".
SFX Community Police Officer Darren Hawkett meets his counterparts in Znojmo
Catching a ride on a Czech police motorbike
SFX students taste outdoor life in the Moravian woods
Czech food seemed to go down ok with SFX students
Back in the UK, Znojmo Police Commissioner Med looks round SFX along with Mrs Hopp and SFX Travel & Tourism Team Leader Wendell James, who also went on the trip. Travel & Tourism student Maleika Coker-Harewood (ex-St Martin in the Fields) joins the group.
India
As part of their CAS (Creativity, Action & Service) programme, this year’s first year International Baccalaureate Diploma students spent two weeks in India, accompanied by IB Coordinator Emily Cooper, SFX Maths tutor David Jefferies & CAS Coordinator Victoria Lewis. The first week was spent in a primary school near Bangalore, where the highlight was the mini Olympic, where coming to grips with the Indian national sport of Kabaddi proved to be an enjoyable challenge for SFX students. CAS Coordinator Victoria Lewis reported, “Our students really warmed to the task of experiencing a totally new culture, which included confronting some important global issues and some very spicy food!” In the second week, SFX students took time out for some sightseeing and touring including visits to Coorg Valley and Mysore Palace. Also a spot of shopping in Bangalore was not to be missed, but when given the opportunity to say a second farewell at the school, everybody decided this was what they really wanted to do. “It was an unforgettable trip, the impact of which will remain engrained in my memory, and the memory of the students, forever.”
Going to school in India
Cultural evening at the farm, from left: Ahyeesha Dembele, Vanessa Pinto, Blessing Bakare.
Boat trip on the way to Honey Valley
Students reach the top of the mountain in Coorg!
Alex Almeida (left) & Gareth Iguasnia (right) playing a serious game of Kabaddi
Alejandra Velasquez Castro & the Indian schoolgirls in their traditional dress
Standing to attention before the Olympic march
