By Mr Mason-McLeod (PE Teacher)
During the summer break, our Year 10 to Upper Sixth students and staff set off on an unforgettable sports tour to Cape Town, South Africa. Bringing together competitive sporting fixtures with an inspiring programme of cultural and educational experiences, the trip gave our U16 and U18 hockey and netball squads the chance to represent BGS on an international stage. For many, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that they will remember for years to come.
The girls approached every session and match with enthusiasm and were a credit to the school throughout. Coaching clinics at Brackenfell High School helped the players settle quickly, and they brought real energy and focus to each fixture. Matches against Bellville High School, Melkbosstrand High School, Milnerton High School and Kusasa Academy were competitive and enjoyable, with the girls showing tactical awareness and teamwork. The warm hospitality of our host schools made each match a positive experience.
Away from sport, the group had the opportunity to learn more about South Africa’s history and communities. A guided tour of Robben Island and a visit to Langa Township offered a sobering insight into the country’s past and the resilience of its people. At the Kusasa Project in Franschhoek, the girls met local teachers and children and saw first hand how early years education and community initiatives work in a different context. It was a valuable reminder of both the differences and the many similarities in young people’s experiences around the world.
The tour also included time to explore some of the Western Cape’s best known sights. The group took in panoramic views from Table Mountain, travelled along the Cape Peninsula to Cape Point, visited the seal colonies at Hout Bay and saw the penguins at Boulders Beach. A surf lesson at Muizenberg provided plenty of excitement and a few memorable moments as the girls tried their hand on the waves.
The final leg of the trip took the group inland to Aquila Private Game Reserve in Touws River. Morning and evening game drives gave the girls the chance to see South African wildlife at close quarters. They were fortunate to spot four of the Big Five: lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Although the leopard remained hidden, the experience was a fitting end to the tour.
From the first training session to the final game drive, the girls embraced each day with resilience and a genuine sense of adventure. They developed their sporting skills, experienced a new culture and created memories that will stay with them for years to come.
Thank you to Miss Huckle, Miss Sadler, Mr Tarrant and Mrs Lonsdale, and to our host schools in South Africa, for their support in making the tour such a success. Most of all, well done to the students, who represented BGS superbly from start to finish.
View scenic photos here.
