Report 1 - Eilis;    Report 2 - Susan

Report: Eilis O'Leary (Soccer Team, 4th Year 2005)

On the 6th July the soccer team was 'forced' to go to school for a day! At 9.00am we arrived at Redbanks Plains State High School to experience a day in the life of an Australian student. When we entered the school we were surprised to find that it wasn't exactly like Manor House, for example the song "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." was blaring during their assembly to help launch a new school initiative.

We were all assigned a student to go around with for the day. I was put with a very cool group of people. However they did believe me when I told them that leprechauns were a race of red headed midgets who lived in the wild!

My favourite class of the day was Life Skills because I made the teacher speak some words in Irish. The classes aren't as strict as in Manor House but there is a lot more fun. The only thing I found frustrating was the fact that they all had trouble saying my name. It was a great experience to see how the people in Australia were taught.

My 2005 Australian Tour Highlights

One of my fondest memories would have to be of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was one of the best experiences of my life. It was so scary being up that high knowing that if you fell off it would take 5.2 seconds for you to hit the ground. However as soon as you reached the top all the climbing and fears was worth while because the view was so beautiful. When we got back down off the bridge I was so happy to see land again and my legs wouldn't stop shaking.

In our 'away' colours

We climbed this
and survived

Report: Susan Howard (Hockey Team, 4th Year 2005)

On Wednesday we earned a well-deserved break from the tournament, so it was decided that the hockey girls would live a day in the life of an Australian student.

Firstly we got a guided tour around Forest Lake College by the colleges middle school principal, Mr. Weatherley. We each received a timetable and chose our groups to go to class with and which class we would attend. Along with three of my team mates, we decided to go to Grade 12 classes which is the equivalent to 6th year in Ireland. My group went to drama, forensic science, English, maths and our favourite was PE because all the girls were in this class.

It was in PE when we began to make friends. We'll never forget the friendly outgoing Aussies. From that class onwards our friendship with the college boys seemed to blossom. We were all extremely sad to hear the teacher say it was time to go home……… until email addresses were exchanged. The Irish frowns were turned upside down when we received an invitation by the boys to watch the famous legendary State of Origin playoff with them. We couldn't have asked for a better way to finish off such a memorable day!

• Making new friends from the other side of the world at the competition.
• Singing all the time.

We were renowned
for our singing

Forest Lake students