Time to hear from our Heritage visitors

We asked the students of the Heritage School for their thoughts on their visit so far. Here is what they had to say!

Piyush Agarwal

I along with my fourteen friends and two teachers reached the Whitecross Campus on 13^th October, Sunday. Different host family and teachers were present there to welcome us. From there host families took us to their houses, I liked the way in which they welcomed me. I was quite comfortable in the house. Next morning I with my host Luke and Lydia came to school where we were welcomed by the headmistress. After that we witnessed the whole school. It was quite big and beautiful. Then we attended the classes with our hosts. We met the Sheriff of Hereford, the next day we also had tea and cakes with him. He asked us about our likes in sports and which teams I supported in football. It was an important day as the Sheriff has never come to the Whitecross. He visited, the first time and liked the school and students very much. After that the next day we went to Berrington Hall which was very big. Our guide told us the important points of all the furnituresand its importance. After that we went to the Cathedral which was amazing. I like the school and students very much. This is my most exciting experience.

Bratin Ghosh

It was a lovely evening when we reached Whitecross. Jacob with his little brother, Joshua and his parents were waiting for me. We went to OUR home. On that day we celebrated my birthday. It was my best birthday celebration ever.

On the next day I attended the lessons in school. It was very different from the lessons in the Heritage School. I was taken o a pub. I really enjoyed the food. On Tuesday the Sheriff of Hereford came to Whitecross and  after school Jacob and I had gone to the young beavers camp. It was quite a unique experience. At night we watched the England verses Poland football match. Today we had gone to Berrington Hall and Hereford Cathedral. We enjoyed it a lot.

We went to Berrington Hall on Wednesday. It was overcast. When we reached the destination it was already raining. Our guide gave all the information all of which was interesting to us, together with the Whitecross students. After that we had gone to Hereford Cathedral. We went through the rest of Hereford although we couldn’t buy anything. Our picnic ended. It was an unique experience both the rainy and the sunny weather.

Navya

It has been completely amazing. I’m having a wonderful time here and I love my host family. I love attending classes at the Whitecross Hereford High School, even though it is quite different from the Heritage School.

London was amazing as we got to go to The British Museum, Madame Tussauds and the Tower of London. I loved travelling with my friends and most importantly, I loved how nice my host family is and how warm they made me feel, even though I barely knew them at first. Martha is really sweet and I love spending time with her.

Whitecross is a wonderful school and I’d like to thank the teachers for welcoming me and taking me as their own student. They’ve given me many opportunities. I had a lovely time meeting the High Sheriff. I loved the classes and teachers. I loved everything about Whitecross and I can’t wait to host a Whitecross Student in January and take them to have an equally amazing experience at the Heritage School.

Kusagra

I am Kushagra, Owen’s friend. I am having a really good time here in Hereford. It is quite nice and beautiful. It is very different from Kolkata. The Whitecross School is very beautiful and good. It has some really good facilities. I had a good time on Monday during the school hours. The meeting with the High Sheriff on Tuesday was really fascinating and it also inspired me. I had a good experience in attending classes with Owen and I have also learnt many new things. I am having a really good time and I am enjoying myself here. I am eagerly looking forward for the Whitecross students to be in Kolkata.

On 16^th October Tuesday we went for a trip to Berrington Hall and the Hereford Cathedral. The trip was really exciting and we also got to know about Britains unpredictable weather. The Berrington Hall was very stylish to be in a house. It was built by Thomas Harley as a retirement home. The interiors of the hall were just to make it himself look wealthy and important. The Hereford Cathedral is really big and amazing. It is very silent from inside and it is very beautiful. The weavers out here are very skilful and very talented. Overall I had a good time on this trip and it was an awesome experience.

It is a really nice experience to be hosted with someone I can trust. Owen is a really good friend and I am eager to host him. I am very lucky to be part of this project. I am enjoying myself here. It is really nice to visit new places and ;learn about its history it is a nice place and I would like to come here again.

Vaibhav Agarwal

Visit to Berrington Hall

I was really excited today because we ‘Heritage’ children and the respective UK host were going to Berrington House. We left Whitecross at 9am when we reached out destination a hour later it was raining really heavily. When we entered the hall we were in a room which had nearly eight lesson (?). We then went to the Berrington dining room and I have never seen such a beautiful dining table. Then we visited some other rooms. After leaving such a wonderful place we went to Hereford Cathedral where we saw the shrine and other religious importance. After that we did some shopping. But as all good things come to an end we had to return back to Whitecross. It was a wonderful day

Pranav Mundhra

We attended the Whitecross Hereford High School for the first time. It was a big and beautiful Campus. The next day we met the Sheriff. He spoke to us about sport and his visit to New Delhi in India. He also showed us his ceremonial sword and we had photographs taken with him. The meeting with the Sheriff was something new to us because we don’t have any in India. We also went to Berrington Hall and our guide told us about the hall. Overall it was an amazing experience in the Whitecross Hereford High School and in the city of Hereford.

Nitish Agarwall

Yesterday, we went to the Berrington Hall. It took us an hour to drive to Berrington Hall. When we got down the minibus it was raining and cold wind was blowing. There was greenery as far as my eyes could see. I could hear the birds chirping. Then we went into the Berrington Hall. The house was totally symmetrical and was very huge. Then we went back to the bus to go to Hereford Cathedral . It was very huge and the towers on one end were amazing. It weighed seven thousand tonnes. There were two towers before but one collapsed because of an earthquake.I had a great experience, knowing about the history of both places. I enjoyed myself a lot.

I have been attending classes with my host James. I am having a great time and I am enjoying myself thoroughly. I have made lots of friends. The students here are very friendly and I find this school really amazing . The way of studies here is very different from ours. I am enjoying myself living with James. It is really cold but I am enjoying attending sports practice before school in the morning with him.

Huge thanks to all the students for taking the time to put down their thoughts. More tomorrow!

A tour of Herefordshire

Yesterday the Heritage staff and students were treated to a tour of Herefordshire. Unfortunately, the weather was not very good but they had a great time nonetheless. Here are a few photos of their visit to Berrington Hall and the Cathedral.

Outside Berrington Hall in the rain!

 Drying off inside and admiring the luxurious dining room

Outside Hereford Cathedral

A wet and windy Hereford

Today the Heritage students are on a tour of Herefordshire, visiting Berrington Hall and Hereford Cathedral. Whilst they are out in the wind and rain, we thought we'd share some more photos of the wonderful visit yesterday of the High Sheriff.

Heritage students meet the High Sheriff of Herfordshire

We were honoured today by a visit from the High Sheriff of Herefordshire who had come to Whitecross to meet the Heritage team. The High Sheriff is an ancient position dating back to Saxon times and they were originally responsible for enforcing the king's law. Today there are 55 High Sheriffs across England and Wales and they play an important part in working alongside the police and legal system in promoting a safer community.

Latest news from Hereford! Our Heritage friends describe the first few days

Namaste!

We landed at Gatwick, on the 12^th in the morning, went on a whirlwind tour of London for the next one and a half days.

We visited Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Madame Tussaud’s, the London Eye, the British Museum, Big Ben and numerous other important heritage buildings.

Travelling across the beautiful picturesque countryside was a blissful experience. On our arrival at Whitecross, Hereford we were greeted by the smiling and cheerful host families. The children from both the schools were happy to meet each other

At Whitecross, passing through the innumerable corridors, colourful classrooms and the bubbling dining hall full of happy children lifted our spirits which even the rainy weather and chill breeze could not dampen.

Watching the Whitecross and Heritage students greet one another on Sunday evening we had to remind ourselves that they hadn’t actually met before, but thanks to Facebook, emails and telephone friendships had already taken root. By the time we met them all again for our pre-school check-in on Monday hosts and exchangees were looking like it was an everyday occurrence.

Walks in the countryside, bowling, dinner out and shopping have already been undertaken. As well as a taster of life as a Whitecross student, including early morning football training, a visit from the Sheriff of Hereford is eagerly anticipated as is the planned excursion to take in some Herefordshire countryside, history and culture.

Heritage school - back in Hereford 2013!

Wow - it doesn't seem a moment since we climbed aboard the plane and said goodbye to our friends in Kolkata back in January. And here we are in October, welcoming teachers and students from the Heritage back to our little corner of the UK. We hope they have a fantastic time - we'll try and post some news and bits and pieces over the next week.

Photos from the last couple of days

We've had a busy and exciting couple of days and here are a few photos. A tour of the city and a visit to Chowbaga, the local village were both extremely interesting. Talking to the potter in the last picture we learnt that he earns 10 Rupees for every 90 cups he makes. He reckoned he could make about one thousand cups in a day. That means he earns about £1.20 a day with which he has to feed and keep his family. It was a very thought provoking visit for all of us. 

The students did a fantastic job in the assembly this morning - 1500 students and teachers packed into a massive hall! We're getting ready for the Kolaahal tomorrow which is a kind of school fete. There will be lots of music, competitions, food and stalls. Whitecross has a stall where we'll be offering traditional games like pin the tail on the donkey!

The time has flown by!

Ambassador Taxis 

Whitecross and Heritage students at Belur Temple

Sign outside St John's Church

Cookery class

Ashlee mixing it up!

Fishmonger in Chowbaga

Chowbaga schoolroom

Fast food stall

Bicycle repair

Traditional cooking pit

Potter in Chowbaga

A trip round Kolkata

Yesterday we went on a great tour of the city. We took loads of pictures and we'll try and post some later today. Kolkata is an incredible mix of cultures – we saw Hindu temples, English churches and ornate palaces all mixed up in a city that is crumbling to pieces but also brand new. The shopping mall we went to for lunch would not be out of place in any British town.

Our hosts are taking brilliant care of us and have been showering the students with gifts and treats. Today we are visiting a local village to see what life is like there. Hopefully we'll manage some swimming and some time on the climbing wall too!

Thinking of you all in the snow – keep warm!

Day Two at the Heritage School

We were extremely privileged today to be invited to visit a state run primary school in a local village. The families of the children who attend the school live on about two pounds a day. Speaking to the headmaster it was clear that education is a lifeline for communities like these. The experience was a very thought provoking one for all of us. We were shown round the school and met the children in their classrooms. Mrs Leonard gave a talk about Herefordshire and we showed our achievement evening presentation.

Rhys shows some of the children pictures of his own family.

Tom was a natural when it came to relating to the children. They adored him!

The children were brilliant!

Mrs Leonard with some of the mums. In the background is the school playing field.

Later, at lunch, Craig failed the Chilli Challenge round two. This is the moment the heat took hold.

Our first day at the Heritage

We had a wonderful welcome from Mrs Sapru and all the staff at The Heritage School. We've been to some lessons, eaten some amazing school dinners and even found time for a swim.
Tomorrow we have more swimming and sports planned, a visit to another school and round two of the Whitecross One Day Series International Chilli Eating Competition!

Sunday in Kolkata

Whilst the students enjoyed time with their host families, here are a couple of photos to show the staff trip to the Indian Museum - our thirst for knowledge never ends!

Looking forward to meeting up with the students again tomorrow for our first day in the Heritage School.

A warm welcome