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Pre Cricket Tour success

The Pre cricket tour over half term was a great success and the boys have all returned back with many fond memories. The cricket was tough - as one would expect when playing against the best prep schools in South Africa - and we were found a little short of match experience. However, each member of the tour party had his "cricketing moment" and, as a group, they contributed enormously to the success of the tour. We were welcomed back to the Prep Schools Festival by the Headmaster of Highbury Prep, Richard Stanley, who reminded the other eleven schools present at the formal Dinner on the last night of the festival, that Clifton Pre was one of the "Founders" of the festival as we were there at the original festival in 1995.

The boys were exemplary in their role as ambassadors, both on the playing fields and in their general behaviour, and we received many complimentary praises from members of the general public, hosting parents, umpires and Headmasters. We were happily surprised, while looking around the shops in Terminal 5, before boarding our BA flight, to be approached by an elderly couple who wanted to know which school we were from because they were so impressed by how well the boys were behaving.

For many of the tour party our day visiting Enxolobeni Primary School will remain as a treasured memory. On our arrival, we were shown the new Learning Centre which was now complete and ready for the pupils to use - a library, science room and computer suite. The Headmaster had planned a grand welcoming party but he himself had had to rush in to town in order to ensure the delivery of the marquee he felt would be essential to protect his English visitors from the burning sun. And, as so often happens when one tries to make sure everything is perfect, we had a perfectly cool and overcast day which followed a stormy night the night before. The Headmaster and the marquee arrived an hour later and the ceremony of thanks giving started. The tour captain, Joel Barber, and the vice captain, Edward Whittaker, both made excellent speeches on behalf of the Pre and presented the Headmaster with a cricket bag of kit and an artificial cricket mat. At the end of the celebration Mr Theo Zobolo cut the ribbon to the new centre and a plaque was presented to him by me on behalf of the Pre, announcing the name of the new centre - "The Theo Zobolo Learning Centre".

Enjoy the photo gallery

After lunch we played a game of limited overs Cricket and a game of sevens Rugby, both of which we won. But then a very talented football team entertained all their supporters, who invaded the pitch with every goal, in beating us 0 - 7. It was a delight to see their cricket, rugby and football teams wearing the Pre kit that we had sent out earlier in the year. I was also informed by the Headmaster that every pupil in the school is now wearing the school uniform - a great achievement. And so the boys were able to share in an African school day, and their enthusiasm to enjoy the day was reflected in the warm and friendly reception and smiles we received throughout our visit.

I would like to thank all the Pre pupils, parents and friends - present and past - who have helped in making this project such a success. To see so many happy children, properly dressed in their school uniform, appreciating their new facilities and enjoying their visitors is a memory which will remain with one forever. The Headmaster's thank you letter to the Pre explains just how much they appreciate our help.

Lanion Hall

15 March 2010

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