More Than a Trip: Student Reflections from South Africa | News | Radnor House Sevenoaks | Private School in Kent

More Than a Trip: Student Reflections from South Africa 

Over the Easter break, pupils from Radnor House Sevenoaks travelled to South Africa for an unforgettable sports tour filled with competition, adventure, cultural experiences and personal growth. From competing against local schools and exploring breath-taking landscapes to visiting townships and spending time with local children, the trip offered far more than sporting opportunities alone. 

Throughout the tour, pupils challenged themselves both on and off the pitch, developing resilience, independence and confidence while building friendships across year groups. Alongside memorable moments of laughter and adventure, many pupils also returned home with a broader perspective on the world and a deeper appreciation for the experiences they shared together. 

In their own words, pupils reflect on the moments that made the greatest impact on them and the lessons they will carry forward long after the tour has ended. 
 

 Lucy, Year 8 

“We had an awesome time on the South Africa sports tour over Easter. My favourite part was either the safari or the surfing on the last day. On the safari, the air was cool and misty, and we could hear birds calling across the reserve as the sun came up. Even though Mr Allberry dragged us out of bed at 5am for a safari he thought was at 6am when it was actually at 7am, which made 60 teenagers very annoyed, it ended up being so worth it. We saw loads of amazing animals and even got close enough to lions that you could hear them breathing. The surfing was also so much fun. The water was icy, the air was salty, and everyone was laughing and shouting as we tried to stay upright on our boards. It was chaotic but in the best way. 

Visiting the township and helping at the primary school really helped us realise how many things we take for granted without even thinking about it. Something as small as giving a child a hug or doing a running race suddenly felt like it actually mattered. The dusty roads, the bright colours of the buildings, and the huge smiles on the children’s faces made everything feel so real. Knowing that some children don’t always have clean water or enough food hit us quite hard, and it definitely made us feel more grateful for the little things we barely notice at home. 

Even though I’m normally quite confident, the thing that genuinely scared me most was Table Mountain. The cable car felt terrifying at first, especially when it swayed in the wind.  Everyone kept saying, “Don’t look down!” Once we reached the top, the views were unbelievable, but looking down made the whole city seem tiny. Even though it pushed me outside my comfort zone, it also made me feel braver afterwards and more willing to challenge myself in everyday life. 

Playing against the South African schools was another big challenge, especially because they’re used to the extreme heat and we definitely aren’t. The sun felt like it was shining just on us the whole time, and we were struggling to keep going, but we didn’t give up. The girls managed to win all our hockey matches and three out of eight netball matches, which was pretty impressive considering how good the South African teams were. It was also really nice to meet other students our age and talking about our different experiences. Representing Radnor in another country felt amazing, and I think we did the school proud. 

One of the best parts of the trip was learning about South African culture by actually being there instead of just reading about it. The kindness we were shown everywhere we went was honestly incredible. People kept waving at us, greeting us, and making us feel welcome. We played South African music and tried Ngomas (South African drums), and the deep, steady rhythm filled the room. It even turned into a dancing competition, and the teachers joined in, which made it even funnier. 

Looking back, the trip made me realise how fortunate I am and how much I sometimes take for granted. The volunteering and cultural experiences especially made me want to do more to help others. It also helped us form new friendships across different year groups, and I’ve come home with amazing memories, more confidence, and far too many inside jokes. It is a trip I will never forget.” 

Guy, Year 9

“Our recent school sports tour to South Africa was honestly one of the best experiences of my life, and I don’t think I will ever forget it. When I first heard about the trip, I expected it to mainly focus on playing hockey and spending time with my friends. While both of those things were a big part of the tour, it turned out to be far more than just a sporting experience. It challenged me, helped me grow as a person, and genuinely changed the way I see the world. 

Sport played a central role throughout the tour, especially the hockey matches we played against local South African schools. We competed in three matches altogether and managed to win two of them, which felt like a real achievement. The games were fast‑paced and competitive, and we had to work hard as a team to be successful. Playing against strong opposition pushed us to improve our skills, communicate better, and support one another on the pitch. Representing our school abroad made me feel proud, and the shared success brought our team closer together. 

On the second day of the tour, we visited a group of local school children, which became one of the most memorable experiences of the trip. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but they were incredibly welcoming and excited to meet us. Their positivity and friendliness stood out straight away, especially as we had only just met. Spending time with them helped me realise how much I enjoy connecting with new people, and it was an experience that stayed with me throughout the tour. 

A major highlight of the trip was visiting Aquila Game Reserve on safari. Seeing animals such as lions, elephants, hippos, and rhinos in their natural environment was unforgettable. Being so close to such powerful and impressive wildlife was an amazing experience and very different from anything I had seen before. The safari helped me appreciate the beauty of nature and understand how important conservation is. It was a calm and reflective experience that allowed me to see a completely different side of South Africa. 

The biggest eye‑opener for me was visiting a township. Seeing how people lived there was difficult at times, but also extremely important. It gave me a new perspective and made me reflect on the things I often take for granted in my own life. It helped me better understand the world beyond my everyday surroundings. 

The most challenging activity for me was sea kayaking. The water was rough and unpredictable, and I felt nervous at times. However, I didn’t give up, and by the end I felt proud of myself for persevering. 

Overall, this trip was an incredible opportunity. Sharing it with my friends made it even more meaningful, and I returned home more independent, grateful, and with a much broader outlook on the world.” 

Charlotte, Year 10

“There were many memorable moments throughout the trip, like when Mr Allberry told us to be ready to go on a safari when it actually started at six, leaving a lot of disgruntled teenagers for the teachers to deal with, and when Melvin (Mr De Bono) was awarded the ‘muppet of the day’ for knocking on the wrong doors and telling members of the public to be quiet!  

However, the most humbling and impactful experience for me was visiting a primary school in a poorer area and seeing how happy and full of life all the children were despite the challenges many of them face. They were incredibly welcoming, energetic and kind, and it made me realise how privileged we are as a community and how much we can sometimes take for granted. It was eye-opening to learn that things we would consider basic necessities, such as running water or private toilets, are not always available to everyone. 

I really enjoyed competing against South African schools because the matches felt both challenging and exciting. It was interesting seeing different playing styles compared to what we are used to in the UK. I also enjoyed playing alongside pupils from other year groups, especially the Year 8s, and learning more about the different strengths people brought to the team. The South African teams were very strong, but we were really pleased with our performances. We won two netball matches and remained unbeaten in hockey, including a 9–0 win while only conceding one goal across the tour. 

I learnt a lot on the safari about many different types of animals, and it was interesting to explore such an unfamiliar cultural setting compared to the UK. One thing I noticed was the amazing geography of South Africa. The mountains were beautiful and full of greenery.  I really appreciated the country’s natural beauty whilst ziplining across the mountains and over rivers. It was truly breathtaking. 

I think this trip has made me more confident around people in different year groups and more aware of cultural diversity and social inequality within South African society. It helped me better understand the challenges many people face every day and gave me a much broader perspective on the world around me.”