Bella from St Hilda’s School, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia is enjoying a 6-week exchange programme at St Gabriel’s.  Bella is staying with Pippa, Year 10, and on hearing the news, they connected on email and quickly became friends who were excited to meet in person.

“I was delighted to get the opportunity to take part in the exchange programme and luckily I was eased into my trip as my father, a pilot, kindly flew me from Sydney to Singapore on the initial leg of my journey.”

BELLA

It has been a fantastic experience with Bella settling quickly into life at St Gabriel's and getting involved in lessons, with music as her favourite subject . Her ambition is to be a GP. “It is very interesting to see the differences between our two countries; it is very wet in the UK compared to the beach lifestyle I am used to back home.  Also there is a real historical character evident in the UK, for example the old brick buildings are very unlike our homes in Australia.  It is fascinating to learn about the UK and I have also enjoyed watching Downton Abbey."

Bella has lots of good memories to take home to Australia. 

“There has been lots of highlights from a visit to Stonehenge and the Wookey Hole Caves to the Portsmouth Docks to see the HMS Victory.  We have also enjoyed a wonderful family afternoon tea and a trip to the theatre in London to see the show 'The Comedy About a Bank Robbery'.  I am extremely thankful to Pippa and her family for making it so memorable.”  

BELLA

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Pippa and Bella have forged a great friendship and are looking forward to more adventures during half term including watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and visiting both Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace. 

Good luck to Bella on the rest of her exchange in the UK and we will catch up with a very excited Pippa, following her visit to St Hilda’s School in Australia in the Spring Term.