Kenya Trip 2012

During February half term four Sixth Form students including Head Girl; Rosie Mann, Becky Sargent, Elethia Haesler and Teade Beltran accompanied Mr Creasey, Mr and Mrs Heather and their daughter Sophie, embarked on a teacher exchange visit to Kisumu Kenya. This was the culmination of a year’s hard work raising funds for the trip that also enabled 3 Kenyan teachers to visit England last October.

The aim of the trip was to continue to build on the links between the partner schools both here and in Kenya. Cedars Upper School, Pulford Lower School and Leighton Middle School are now working together with St Aloys, Reru Primary and Mr Alindi’s new school in Kenya.

The Sixth Formers worked with pupils from the schools and were able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of subjects as they were encouraged to craft their own lessons unique to the Kenyan school and even took centre stage in the school debate.

Mr Creasey held inset teacher training demonstrating thinking skills and methods throughout the week at St Aloys whilst Mr Heather concentrated on teaching and learning in Reru primary. Mrs Heather captivated the pupils in Business Studies with her trading game. Year 11 experienced Cedars Bloodhound Challenge whilst the highlight of the week in school must have been the musical evening where Mr Creasey played his Ukulele with the entire group singing and dancing to ‘YMCA’ and ‘I’m a believer’. Needless to say, the Kenyan students laughed hysterically at this performance!

Of course it wasn’t all about just being at school, whilst at the school, they lived in tents and enjoyed cooking on tiny trangea cookers. On days away they had the delights of Kisumu Beach resort on Lake Victoria, complete with its own Hippo, who was seen regularly grazing. They had many excursions and took the pupils from the schools on a boat trip to Mayetta Island on Lake Victoria to sample the culture, cuisine and environment. One highlight was the walk through Hellsgate wildlife reservation with lots of Zebra and Pumba, seeing Pride Rock (featured in The Lion King and Born Free films) and roaming along Hells Creek where they filmed ‘Lara Croft’. They also went into Nairobi to see the Tribal dancers at ‘Bodmas,’ fed the Giraffes in a sanctuary, visited the world famous elephant orphanage, went to the impala park and enjoyed hours of lovely sun!

Of course the story goes on and now we are in the process of organising the next venture. A new group of Sixth Formers are getting ready, Mr Creasey has his Ukulele and Mr Heather has his dance moves….watch this space. Kenya 2013 here we come!!