Day 20 Thursday 5th August
Today was the last ‘farewell' as the tourists said goodbye to their Saint Kentegern's billets, who had made us so welcome and headed to the Crown Plaza Hotel Auckland for the last days of the tour. The day was spent at leisure, or for most of the girls planning and then getting dressed up for the ‘end of tour meal'.
The end of tour meal was a superb event. The girls dressed up, the boys dressed down!! The girls turned a few heads on the short walk to the restaurant but it was Elliot and Tom Abbot who attracted the most attention with their ‘glamorous' make-up. After a superb meal that even Mr Holmes couldn't finish we enjoyed the presentation of tour awards and then it was off to enjoy the last night of the tour before the long journey home.
Just a few final thoughts from the boys on tour. The end of tour meal was a huge success, highlighted by some top speeches and awards. It was an emotional night for us all as we recalled the past three weeks and looked forward to going home and seeing family again? Kelham O'Hanlon in particular gave a heartfelt speech, reminiscing over their time at the school and with reference to Mr Chester who was at their first ever game for the school and their last. He went on say that Mr Chester AKA Monty has been a great servant to rugby at King Edward VII and Queen Mary's over the past 30 some years and his presence will be greatly missed. The life experiences that these young people have had on this tour have been priceless, and will prepare them for university life. It has been an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead the rugby on tour, and I will remember this successful tour for a long time to come.
Final thoughts from the girls tour. The end of the tour is always a sad time as we come to the end of three weeks together, especially for those who move on next year. On and off the pitch I have been so proud of the girls who have been a fantastic company and have been a great credit to themselves, their families and the school. They have coped admirably with the challenges put in front of them be it jumping off a bridge attached only by a piece of elastic, the cold of a chilly NZ home or the quiet billet that doesn't talk much. They have developed as hockey players and as young people. They will have learnt a lot about themselves, their team-mates and New Zealand and hopefully will have made friendships, both in New Zealand and within the group that will last a lifetime.
I am sure they will have many memories of the tour and will look back on it as ‘the trip of a lifetime'.
Tour Awards
Most Improved Tourists - Holly Moorhouse & Alistair Marquis-Carr
Unsung Hero/Heroine - Katie Holder & Chris Williams
Top Tourist - Gabby Hird & James Robinson
Player of the Tour - Melissa Bentley & Kelham O'Hanlon
Players Player of the Tour- Ellie Rimmer & Tom Webb
Final thoughts from our main report contributors.........................................
A final "Bonjour" from us all. If you have enjoyed reading our thoughts please tell Mr. Chester. If you have not please tell Mr. Holmes. If there is anyone involved in publishing out there we may be interested in a deal when we get home if the money is right.
