Sierra Leone trip 2024
Over the October half Term a group of sixteen Sixth Form pupils and five members of staff embarked on a life-changing educational trip to Sierra Leone. The journey was filled with diverse and enriching experiences that brought together cultural exchange, community outreach, and academic collaboration.
The trip included a day spent on a beautiful beach offering the pupils a chance to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of the country and a trip to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, but the heart of the trip was the pupils’ involvement with the Ballanta Academy and the JT Reffell French Memorial School. Our pupils engaged in a range of educational activities, teaching Spanish, English, and Maths, as well as sharing stories, leading drama games and playing football. These interactive sessions, including games of hangman and heads down thumbs up, were not only a learning experience for our pupils but they proved to be a huge hit with the children at JTR.
The Wells musicians were also involved in music education as well as performance, working closely with students at the Ballanta Academy, where they conducted music lessons and workshops. They also took part in daily outreach concerts, performing at various venues including Milton Margai School for the Blind, other local schools, and at the High Commissioner’s property. These concerts showcased the musical talents of our pupils and brought joy and inspiration to the communities they visited.
The trip to Sierra Leone really is one of a kind and it’s a wonderful opportunity to see the projects the Sierra Leone Project supports up close. Some pupils and even one member of staff are already planning their return for a longer trip, deeply inspired by the people they met and the impact they were able to make during their time in Sierra Leone.
Elsbeth Ralls, Teaching Assistant SEND and Assistant Head of Years 10 and 11, commented: “Throughout the trip, the pupils worked incredibly hard despite the extreme heat, demonstrating resilience, dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility. Their positive attitude and respect for local customs helped them to represent their School with distinction. We are incredibly proud of all of them. The experience was transformative for all of us; pupils and staff. The connections we made, the experiences we had and the lessons learned will stay with us forever. I cannot wait to go on the trip again next year.”
