Students prepare for Canadian exchange (From Borehamwood Times)

Hertswood students prepare for exchange to Dundille, Toronto

5:10pm Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By Anna Slater

Students are preparing to jet-set across the pond to take part in a Canadian exchange programme.

Ratidzo Masunda, and Harry Whitlock, both 17-year-old students at Hertswood School, in Thrift Farm Lane, were picked after writing letters about why they should go.

But the students need to raise around £350 for their trip and have been busy planning cake fairs and raffle prizes to help.

Ratidzo, who lives in Gateshead Road, Borehamwood, said: “I am buzzing about the trip but we need to raise quite a bit of money first. So far we have raised £195.

“I cannot wait to experience different cultural surroundings and because we are going by ourselves, it will help us learn a lot of independence.”

The A-level theatre studies students will spend a week in the city, staying with a host family and attending lessons at Dundille School, in Toronto.

They will also be performing a monologue at the annual prestigious River Arts Festival, in Dundille. Harry, who also studies English literature and film studies, said he hopes to see some snow during his stay in the province.

The Shenley resident said: “I love the cold weather and am hoping we will have some serious snow down there.

“I was really ecstatic when I found out I’d been picked because I never expected it.

“My granddad was Canadian but I have never even left Europe, so taking a trip to my granddads birthplace is going to be really special.

“We are really fundraising all we can now and hope that people dig deep to help us fulfil our dream in going to Canada.”

The students will be leaving for their trip on November 5. To sponsor them, visit http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/investment/artistic-exchange-1083.