Next year the English department will be going to the UK for just over two weeks to extend the students’ knowledge of major influences on English literature and film and influential authors/directors. This trip is aimed at helping students to explore London and a few surrounding areas, especially attractions and locations that have had major influences on or in the lives of some of the greatest authors and directors of English literature and film. It will provide students with a greater understanding of the social, cultural and historical influences that are an integral part of understanding many of our frequently studied texts and English literature in general. This is highly relevant to our English curriculum as students are expected to acknowledge and examine wider influences and real-world links in their texts in NCEA standards, particularly at higher levels. Students will experience Shakespearean events and historical places, go to media locations such film and TV filming locations, explore museums to see culturally interesting displays such as original texts and, of course, fit into the itinerary will also be some tourist-type activities. The educational outcomes are broad but nonetheless relevant to all the students who go on the trip.

Where: London, Oxford and Stratford-Upon-Avon

Leave: Invercargill Airport on Tuesday 21 September 2027 (Term 3 Holidays) 6 or 8 October 2027 (cost dependant)

Cost: Approximately $10,000.00 ( we are aiming for this to be our maximum budget, cost will decrease if more students sign up)

Transport: Plane, train, coach, bus, boat

Accommodation:  Hostel (which one TBC after student numbers are confirmed)

Staff:  Mrs Zara Parsons,  TBC

Draft Itinerary: click here

Packing List:  TBC

It is a privilege to participate in these events and in order to do so, your child’s attendance record must be above 90%. Students must have a good pastoral record, be up to date with their work and ensure all outstanding course fees are paid prior to the trip. Normal school rules apply.

INFORMATION EVENING: There will be an information evening on Wednesday 11th of March at 6pm in the Staffroom where you can find out more about the trip and ask questions before your child applies for the trip.

In order for your child to apply to attend, please complete the permission form below by Wednesday 18th of March 2026. 

Student numbers on this trip are limited to 24 as we limit numbers due to what is safe and practicable. We will then contact the students (and their whānau) whose applications have been successful. If we receive a large number of applications, we will then put names on a waiting list should anyone withdraw from the trip. If your daughter’s application was successful, the non-refundable $750 deposit will need to be paid by Friday 27th of March to secure her place, if this date is missed, the place may be offered to a student who has been waitlisted instead. 

The cost includes airfares, accommodation, meals, entry to performances, activities, insurance and internal travel. ETA’s are not covered but are compulsory and will need to be organised by yourself. A draft itinerary is attached. This will change depending upon the number of students interested and on final travel agent quotes.

Payment will be staggered throughout the next 17 months as required to secure bookings with a non-refundable deposit of $750 due by Friday 27th of March 2026 upon acceptance onto the trip. Other payments will be refundable according to the policy of the receiver but be aware that the purchases of certain tickets are non-refundable. The last payment will be due at least 8 weeks prior to travel and will cover day to day expenses such as food and internal travel. A payment schedule will be explained at our first meeting .

Two teachers will be accompanying the students. There may also be a limited number of other teachers or parents wishing to accompany us on the trip. Parents are welcome to apply and will pay the full amount if accepted. They will be part of the adult team and will be expected to help manage the students’ welfare. 

Obviously, fundraising by the parents and students could impact positively on the cost of the trip. There will be a meeting held early next term for you to ask questions and share fundraising ideas and strategies.  This meeting will be facilitated by the teachers, but any fundraising will be organised by parents and will need to meet school fundraising criteria.

This event contains risks, including overseas travel, theme park rides, environments quite different to what some students are used to, and very busy/populous locations. This event is supervised by school staff who will manage risk and hazards according to the school’s safety management plan.  This includes careful planning, preparation, supervision, and training to reduce risks as much as practicable. Students will be supervised by a team of parents and teachers (kaiārahi). Each kaiārahi will be responsible for a group of no more than eight students, checking in with them as we get on and off transport, move between locations, check in on the dorm rooms, and keep a general eye on the well-being of students in their care. There may be the odd activity where students may have some unsupervised time in pairs within specific locations; on these occasions, students must always be with their buddy, have a means to contact the group leader and/or their kaiārahi, and demonstrate awareness of the emergency meet up location before they separate from the group. While risks can be managed to acceptable levels, they cannot be totally eliminated.  Some risk is retained for its learning and experiential value.  If you wish to come into school to see our safety management systems or have any questions, feel free to contact  Zara Parsons on 03 2116030 or [email protected]

It is important for safety reasons that students follow instructions given to them by all staff and follow all appropriate school rules. Behaviour by students that is deemed dangerous and puts themselves and/or others at undue risk will result in students being removed from activities and/or sent home early at their own expense.