We were very relieved when we received photos of an Emirates plane with a beautiful orange sunset as a background from Australia. Zander and Campbell were safely in Perth after the 24-hour flight and Cambell’s six weeks of exchange experience in Switzerland.

The time difference made calls difficult, but Zander promised to send me a voicemail every day before he went to bed. Each day’s message began with. “I had a very nice day. It was amazing.”

 “The exchange has been going great so far! I like Campbell’s family. They are nice and kind people.”

Arrival

On Sunday, the Grieves family showed Zander Scotch College and its surroundings and then walked on the beach and swam in the sea. After lunch, they wakeboarded behind a boat and dove from high rocks into the water. The day ended with a lamb roast for dinner, and I can’t imagine how the day could have been any better!

Scotch College

Campbell’s mother had a Scotch College uniform ready for Zander in advance, and on Monday morning, I saw both young men proudly dressed in their school uniforms. The Senior School has 10 Houses (pastoral groups), each with a distinct tartan tie reflecting Scottish heritage. Campbell and Zander are in St. Andrews House.

“The Uniforms were a bit of an adjustment to make, it is a lot more work putting on a button-up shirt and a tie every morning as well as every time after we have PE. However, I am finding some aspects of wearing a uniform nice though like I don’t have to constantly think about what I wear the next day. It is an easy system.”

Chapel service

Monday morning began with a service in the school’s chapel, adorned with beautiful stained glass. Afterwards, the school provided Zander with a MacBook during his stay. He was very excited about his Photography and Digital Design class, where the teacher tasked them to create an album cover.

Academy

Zander also has Economics as a subject, which he has never had before. He agreed to write an Economics test consisting of three long questions along with all the other students on the second day. According to him, he used his general knowledge to explain how business and economic cycles work.

Marching and Community Service

On Friday, Zander participated in the school’s marching competition between the different Houses. He was nervous because he didn’t want to be the reason for the House losing points. His feedback was that he found it difficult to march if he was thinking about what he was doing. It was best not to think at all.

They finished the week with community service at the Salvation Army, helping to prepare food packages and put out trash cans.

Sun and sea

Zander was in seventh heaven when they went to the beach after school. They swam in the sea and enjoyed chips and calamari while watching the golden orange sunset over the ocean. The Grieves family signed them up for surf lessons. However, the waves have been too big and unsafe over weekends.

Sport

The Grieves family belongs to a Uni Hockey club, and Zander enjoyed the activity and camaraderie, accompanied by good music.

Scotch College require the students to participate in at least one sport. Zander played football with Campbell and even participated in weekend games. He found football to be less competitive than in Europe.

They ended the first week with an Australian rules football match, also known as Australian football or just “footy.” I learned it is a contact sport played by two teams, consisting of eighteen players each on an oval-shaped field, often a modified cricket field. It was exciting and ended with a surprisingly tied final score. During the weekend, Zander watched a netball match, surfed, and played darts for the first time.

They ended the second week and the month of May with a soccer match between AC Milan and AS Roma at the Opus Stadium. It was the first time these A-League teams played head-to-head on Australian soil, and it was an incredible experience for him.

Food

“I also discovered that many of the products I miss from South Africa are available here. This is probably because both countries are part of the Commonwealth. I bought myself a large Cadbury Top Deck chocolate. I’ll bring you an AERO Peppermint Chocolate.”

Campbell and Zander in the news

The Grieves family had long planned to show Zander Sydney during the long weekend at the beginning of June. However, they were very disappointed when Virgin Airlines cancelled the flight. Campbell and Zander appeared in the media after reporters interviewed them about the situation. I could only smile when I received a video clip of Campbell and Zander on the 7 pm news bulletin on Australian television.

Attached is an excerpt from the news report: “Flights Cancelled at Perth Airport.”

Kind regards

Emsia