SCHOOL & CLUB TOURS
A WORD FROM THE HEADMISTRESS
The 2026 South Africa Tour offers an exceptional opportunity for our children to broaden their horizons and develop a deeper understanding of the world beyond Winterfold. Educational travel of this nature is transformative; it challenges, inspires and builds character in ways that remain with young people for a lifetime.
Our staff leading the tour are highly experienced, having successfully organised and led numerous overseas visits. Working in close partnership with Sports England and adhering to rigorous safety and safeguarding standards, they ensure that the trip is both secure and truly unforgettable.
This tour perfectly embodies our School Motto: ‘Work hard, play hard and always think of others.’ I have been immensely proud to see our pupils embrace the Young Enterprise fundraising initiative with such creativity, determination and generosity of spirit. Their commitment to raising funds in support of children in South Africa reflects the very best of our community.
For over twenty years, we have supported Ncemaneni School in KwaZulu-Natal. Thanks to the sustained generosity of the Winterfold community, the school’s facilities have been transformed. They are now able to offer a full and enriching curriculum, truly educating the whole child.
This year, we are delighted to extend our partnership to Ncekuya School, a school currently facing profound challenges. Quite simply, they are starting from ground zero. We have a genuine opportunity to make a tangible and lasting difference to the lives of the children there, an opportunity that speaks directly to our values.
At Winterfold, we do not merely speak our School Motto; we live it. That is something of which we can all be immensely proud.
I wish our tour party a wonderful journey, filled with growth, perspective, friendship and memories that will shape their lives for many years to come.
Denise Toms Headmistress
Tour Leader’s Notes
We are thrilled to be returning to South Africa again on our biannual tour of this wonderful country. The energy and buzz surrounding this tour from the pupils, teachers and parents is incredibly uplifting and will, I have no doubt, create a once in a lifetime experience. I hope that the 2026 tourists fully embrace the touring ethos and gain as much as they can from the rich experiences that will come their way. It really is the opportunity of a lifetime to learn, grow, enjoy and appreciate new cultures.
Our itinerary takes us straight into Cape Town where we will have two netball and rugby fixtures along with excursions to Robben Island, Table Mountain, Langa Township and Hout Bay. We then fly to Durban for our third fixture along with some exciting surf lessons and an afternoon at the waterpark. From Durban we drive up to our river cruise in the St Lucia estuary where we hope to see hippos, crocodiles, eagles, and other wildlife. We then return to Ubizane Game Lodges which closed during the pandemic and has now reopened. It is a very special, unique place and the pupils will take some wonderful memories from here. We will also have the chance to learn about and experience the Zulu Culture, and try and see the “Big 5” on our game drives.
Over the last two days of our tour, we will be visiting our friends at Ncemaneni School and also at our new partner school, Ncekuya, for what will undoubtedly be the highlights of our tour. Our relationship with Ncemaneni goes back to 2005 and will continue into the future. Over the past 20 years Winterfold has raised £115,000 (R2,530,000) for Ncemaneni and
invested this in a new double classroom building, a science laboratory and a library/ICT building. This has transformed the education and life chances of the pupils at Ncemaneni. Our new partner school, Ncekuya is in the same, desperate situation that Ncemaneni found itself back in 2007. As we move forward with our two school partnerships, Winterfold will now transition to transforming the infrastructure at Ncekuya with the majority of our fundraising whilst still supporting Ncemaneni with lower cost, high impact projects. I anticipate that we will have in the region of £40,000 to get Ncekuya started with our first projects.
I have been inspired by the generosity of the Winterfold community towards all aspects of this tour. Pupils in Years 5 to 8 have been incredibly enthusiastic and entrepreneurial with their Winterfold Young Apprentice ideas and have raised an incredible amount of money. What a return on the investment in these pupils. The EdAid group has very generously matched the fundraising that the pupils in Years 5 to 8 have done with their Winterfold Young Apprentice enterprises whilst MFG Solicitors have sponsored our tour kit. Many of the adverts in this brochure are from the Winterfold community and we already have support for our next exciting education project in South Africa.
I wish all the players, teachers and supporters a wonderful tour and know that they will return as different people. An experience that offers so much and in so many different ways cannot fail to do so.
James Brinkley Tour Leader
TOUR ITINERARY 2026
SUNDAY 5 APRIL - BIRMINGHAM
18.45pm Arrive at Birmingham Airport
21.45pm Flight EK 38 departs for Dubai. Approximate 7 hour and 10 minutes flight duration and 20kg hold luggage. +4 hour time difference.
MONDAY 6 APRIL - DUBAI/CAPE TOWN
07.50am Flight EK 38 arrives into Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport. Transfer to your connecting flight.
09.10am Flight EK 770 departs for Cape Town. Approximate 9 hour and 40 minutes flight duration and 20kg hold luggage. +2 hour time difference.
16.40pm Flight EK 770 arrives into Cape Town International Airport.
18.30pm Transfer by coach to Protea Breakwater Lodge Hotel. Approximate 20 minute transfer.
19.00pm Check into the Protea Breakwater Lodge Hotel for 4 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
19.15pm Walk to V&A Waterfront. Approximate 5 minute walk.
19.30pm Enjoy dinner at Quay Four Restaurant
21.30pm After dinner, walk back to your accommodation.
TUESDAY 7 APRIL - CAPE TOWN
07.00am Breakfast at your accommodation.
08.00am Transfer to Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. Approximate 30 minute transfer.
08.30am EXCURSION: Enjoy the views as you travel on the cable car to the top of Table Mountain.
12.00pm Depart Table Mountain and transfer to Langa. Approximate 25 minute transfer.
12.30pm EXCURSION: Arrive at Sheila’s Le Lapa restaurant where you will enjoy lunch.
14.30pm Depart Langa and transfer to Hout Bay. Approximate 40 minute transfer.
15.10pm Arrive at Hout Bay and enjoy the afternoon at leisure taking in your surroundings.
17.00pm Return to your accommodation. Approximate 30 minute transfer.
17.30pm Enjoy some leisure time.
18.45pm Transfer to V&A Waterfront. Approximate 5 minute walk.
19.00pm Enjoy dinner at Quay Four Restaurant. 20.30pm After dinner, walk back to your accommodation and spend the evening at leisure.
WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL - CAPE TOWN - MATCH DAY 1
07.00am Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation and collect your lunch pack. Please remember your passports for Robben Island.
08.00am Transfer to The Nelson Mandela Gateway to arrive in good time ahead of departure. Approximate 15 minute walk.
09.00am EXCURSION: Visit Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was kept for 27 years.
12.00pm Enjoy lunch packs at your convenience.
13.00pm Transfer to Siyabulela Primary School for your first set of fixtures. Approximate 20 minute transfer.
15.30pm Siyabulela Primary School v Winterfold School (Rugby)
15.30pm Siyabulela Primary School v Winterfold School (Netball)
16.30pm Enjoy the post-match function mixing with the opposition.
17.00pm Transfer back to your accommodation. Approximate 20 minute transfer.
21.00pm Enjoy an evening at leisure.
THURSDAY 9 APRIL - CAPE TOWN - MATCH DAY 2
09.00am Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation. 10.00am Transfer to District Six Museum. Approximate 10 minute transfer.
10.30am EXCURSION: Enjoy a guided tour at District Six Museum.
12:00pm Transfer to Sunningdale Primary School for your second set of fixtures. Approximate 1 hour transfer.
TOUR ITINERARY 2026
13.00pm TBC lessons with the school.
TBC Enjoy the pre-match function mixing with your opposition.
15.30pm Sunningdale Primary School v Winterfold School (Rugby)
15.30pm Sunningdale Primary School v Winterfold School (Netball)
16.00pm Transfer back to your accommodation.
Approximate 20 minute transfer.
18.15pm Transfer to Iron Steak & Bar. Approximate 15 minute transfer.
18.30pm Enjoy a group dinner at Iron Steak & Bar.
20.30pm Transfer back to your accommodation.
Approximate 15 minute transfer.
20.45pm Spend the evening at leisure.
FRIDAY 10 APRIL - CAPE TOWN/DURBAN
08.00am Enjoy breakfast before checking out of your accommodation.
09.00am Transfer to Cape Town International Airport.
Approximate 20 minute transfer.
09.30am Arrive at Domestic Terminal, Cape Town International Airport.
11.35am Flight 5Z 904 departs for Durban.
Approximate 2 hour flight duration and 20kg hold luggage.
13.35pm Flight 5Z 904 arrives at King Shaka International Airport. Please reclaim your baggage and head through to the Arrivals Hall to board your coach.
14.30pm Transfer to Ushaka Beach Approximate 30 minute transfer.
15.00pm EXCURSION: Enjoy Surfing Lessons with qualified instructors at Ocean Ventures.
17.00pm Transfer to your accommodation.
Approximate 30 minute transfer.
18.00pm Check in to Holiday Inn Express Durban Umhlanga where you will stay for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
19.00pm Transfer to Gateway shopping Centre. Approximate 10 minute walk. Enjoy dinner at a local pizza restaurant.
20.30pm After dinner, walk back to your accommodation.
SATURDAY 11 APRIL - DURBAN - MATCH DAY 3
07.30am Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation.
08.30am Transfer to Sirpat Prep Rugby Club for your third set of fixtures. Approximate 40 minute transfer.
10.00am Sirpat Lions v Winterfold School (Rugby)
10.30am Sirpat Lions v Winterfold School (Touch Rugby)
11.30am Enjoy the post-match function mixing with the opposition.
13.00pm Transfer to Ushaka Marine World. Approximate 30 minute transfer.
13.30pm EXCURSION: Enjoy your afternoon at Ushaka Marine World water park.
17.00pm Transfer back to your accommodation. Approximate 30 minute transfer.
19.00pm Enjoy dinner within your hotel at Butchers Block & Grill Restaurant
20.30pm Following dinner, enjoy an evening at leisure.
SUNDAY 12 APRIL - DURBAN/HLUHLUWE
06.00am Enjoy breakfast before checking out of your accommodation.
07.00am Transfer to St Lucia. Approximate 3 hour transfer.
10.00am EXCURSION: St Lucia Boat Cruise.
13.00pm Concluding the cruise, transfer to Ubizane Wildlife Reserve. Approximate 1 hour transfer.
14.00pm Check in to Ubizane Private Game Reserve where you will stay for two nights on a full board basis.
14.00pm Enjoy a welcome lunch.
15.00pm EXCURSION: Enjoy an evening Game Drive before returning to your hotel for dinner.
20.00pm Enjoy dinner followed by an evening at leisure.
TOUR ITINERARY 2026
MONDAY 13 APRIL - HLUHLUWE
07.00am Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation.
08.00am EXCURSION: In private Game Drive vehicles, enjoy the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve. Approximate 25 minute transfer.
12.00pm Concluding your game drive, arrive at Hill Top Reserve Camp for lunch.
12.30pm Enjoy a group lunch.
13.30pm Transfer back to your accommodation. Approximate 25 minute transfer.
14.00pm EXCURSION: Time for your third and final Game Drive of the tour and your last chance to spot ‘The Big 5!’.
19.00pm Enjoy dinner at your accommodation, followed by an evening at leisure.
TUESDAY 14 APRIL - ESHOWE - MATCH DAY 4
07.00am Enjoy breakfast before checking out.
08.00am Transfer to Ncemaneni Primary School. Approximate 2 hour 40 minute transfer.
10.40am Arrive at Ncemaneni Primary School, ready for your fourth and final set of fixtures.
TBC Ncemaneni Primary School v Winterfold School (Football)
TBC Ncemaneni Primary School v Winterfold School (Netball)
13.00pm Enjoy lunch at the school, mixing with your opposition (self-arranged).
14.00pm Transfer to Dlinza Areial Boardwalk. Approximate 30 minute transfer.
14.30pm EXCURSION: Enjoy a walk around the Dlinza Aerial Boardwalk.
16.30pm Transfer to Aloe Lifestyle Hotel. Approximate 10 minute transfer.
16.45pm Upon arrival, check in to Aloe Lifestyle Hotel where you will stay for one night on a bed and breakfast basis.
18.30pm Transfer to Eshowe Hills Eco & Golf Estate. Approximate 10 minute transfer.
19.00pm Enjoy your end of tour group dinner (BBQ) at Eshowe Hills Eco & Golf Estate.
21.00pm After dinner, return to your accommodation.
WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL - DURBAN/DUBAI
08.00am Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before checking out.
09.00am Transfer to Ncekuya Primary School. Approximate 1 hour and 20 minute transfer.
10.30am Arrive at Ncekuya Primary School where you will meet the Head of School and participate in some school activities.
12.30pm Say your goodbyes and transfer to King Shaka International Airport, stopping on route for lunch. Approximate 3 hour transfer.
15.30pm Upon arrival, check in to flight EK 776 and make your way through security.
18.40pm Flight EK 776 departs for Dubai. Approximate 8 hour and 20 minute flight duration and 20kg hold luggage. +2 hour time difference.
THURSDAY 16 APRIL - DUBAI/BIRMINGHAM
05.00am Flight EK 776 arrives at Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3.
07.45am Flight EK 39 departs Terminal 3 for Birmingham. Approximate 7 hour and 45 minutes flight duration and 20kg hold luggage. - 4 hour time difference.
12.30pm Flight EK 39 arrives at Birmingham International Airport, International Terminal. Upon arrival, clear passport control, collect your luggage and continue with your own arrangements.
END OF TOUR ARRANGEMENTS
The partnership between Ncemaneni and Winterfold has developed over eight tours, twenty years and our schools is a valuable and important one for all of us for many reasons For Ncemaneni, it has tran changed the culture so that girls are now staying in education longer. For Winterfold, it is a central pill giving and making a difference. It is a wonderful experience for the Year 7 and 8 pupils to explore a di
For the first tour we raised £2,500.
The offical opening of the WinterfoldNcemaneni classroom block, made by ECAG (Eshowe Community Action Group) As a result, children are achieveing better results by being taught in age appropriate classes
After four years of fundraising, £42,000 (R735,000) was raised for a science laboratory for children to access further education, allowing the pupils to meet the required standard to go to secondary school.
2007
£18,500 raised for the additional classroom block to reduce the overcrowding in classrooms
2009
2011
2013
20
2012
George Lloyd-Jones completed a bike ride from Aberystwyth to Winterfold A total of 101 miles, to raise money for the Science block He was on the 2013 tour
Science laboratory opened
e m a n e n i a n
one visit to Winterfold by Mr Mthembu The relationship between nsformed the education of their learners, raised expectations and ar to our Catholic ethos of putting others first, being kind, charitable fferent culture, play sport and enjoy touring.
Staff Exchange Trip.
2018
The Winterfold Community raised £32,000 to build an IT and Library building
225 pairs of Shoes That Grow were given to the pupils as there was the issue of children walking the 20km round-journey to and from school in barefeet.
In 2026, Winterfold visited their second partner school, Ncekuya, for the first time Ncekuya is in the same desperate situation that Ncemaneni was back in 2007. They have 3 teachers and a Headmaster for 218 pupils
015
2017
2019
Mr Mthembu, Headmaster of Ncemaneni, visited Winterfold
2021-2022
Construction of the IT and Library building completed in 2022
2024
They are very short of basic furniture educationa he
Approximately £40,000 has been raised to start our first infrastructure projects at Ncekuya
A further generous donation of IT equipment from the LSE Group to the value of £10,000, enabling the pupils to learn new skills and access to further stages of education and employment
South Africa Tour Party 2026
TOUR PARTY 2026
SQUAD No. 1
SQUAD No. 3
SQUAD No. 5
SQUAD No. 7
Sienna B
Position: Wing Attack and Goal Attack
Future Goals: To Open my own Dance Academy.
Role Model and Why: My parents, because they inspire me to be the best version of myself and to keep striving to reach my goals.
What I am most looking forward to: Exploring a new country and the culture. I am also really looking forward to visiting our partner schools in South Africa.
No. 2
Ethan C
Position: Inside Centre
Future Goals: To be the best person I can be in all aspects of life and to be a professional sportsman, either in football or rugby.
Role Model and Why: Either John McGinn or Nuno Mendes. I chose John McGinn because he shows great leadership and resilience. I also chose Nuno Mendes because he is very talented, hardworking and plays in the same position as I do in football.
What I am most looking forward to: Seeing the children in Ncemaneni and Ncekuya, and how grateful they are for the simple things in life. It will also help me understand how lucky I am at Winterfold and be thankful for everything I have.
James J-E
Position: Hooker
Future Goals: To be a film producer.
Role Model and Why: God because without God there is no-one. He is the most important figure in our lives.
What I am most looking forward to: Playing the matches in a foreign country with the locals. I am also looking forward to seeing the wild animals on safari.
No. 4
No. 6
Florence P
Position: Goal Attack
Future Goals: My future goal is to become a pathologist or a scene of crime officer.
Role Model and Why: My role model is David Attenborough because of his interest in the world, its plants, animals and the way he shows this to his audiences. He raises awareness of the dangers of climate change and habitat destruction, as well as showing the world how beautiful nature is.
What I am most looking forward to: Meeting the children and seeing the animals on safari.
Poppy C
Position: Wing Attack
Future Goals: To work hard and pursue my drama to the highest level and to strive to be the best version of myself.
Role Model and Why: My mummy is my role model because she is kind, caring and considerate, and an example of the person I want to become. She teaches me to never give up and always follow my dreams.
What I am most looking forward to: Visiting a new country and experiencing a different culture. I am also excited to go on safari and hopefully see the Big Five, as well as having the opportunity to represent my School in netball.
Daisie H
Position: Goal Shooter and Goal Attack
Future Goals: To become a cheerleader for England, and I would love to be a Primary school teacher as my future career.
Role Model and Why: Gabi Butler (famous competitive cheerleader), because she is strong, flexible and dedicated. She has shown great resilience in becoming an elite stunt cheerleader. What I am most looking forward to: Visiting both our sister schools and meeting the teachers and children that go there. I’m looking forward to seeing Table Mountain as it is one of the seven Wonders of the World.
Charlie L
Position: Second Row
Future Goals: To become a successful motorsport engineer.
Role Model and Why: My 23 year old brother Oli, as he is kind, patient, funny, creative and has a job that he really loves.
What I am most looking forward to: Playing rugby matches against the South African school teams.
No. 8
Daniel R
Position: Prop
Future Goals: To be an engineer.
Role Model and Why: Nikola Tesla who was a Serbian American engineer, futurist, and inventor. He is known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electricity supply system.
What I am most looking forward to: Playing the matches and meeting lots of new people.
TOUR PARTY 2026
SQUAD No. 11
No. 13
Toby S
Position: Winger
Future Goals: I want to be a commercial pilot when I am older as well as continuing to play football to a good standard.
Role Model and Why: I really admire Matt Jones (who is a pro mountain biker) because he has trained hard since a young age to be one of the best MTB riders in the world. He has also set up many successful MTB-related businesses and has made a fantastic life for himself through his sport.
What I am most looking forward to: Going up Table Mountain and surfing.
Gaby W
Position: Centre and Goal Defence
Future Goals: To become a criminal barrister, to continuously work hard on my netball skills and to be the best person I can be by pushing myself.
Role Model and Why: My sister, Lily, because she was an amazing netball player, kind and I admire the way she pushes herself to get what she wants.
What I am most looking forward to: I am really excited to see the schools we have been raising money for and to play netball with them. I am also looking forward to going on safari and seeing the animals.
George W
Position: Fly Half
Future Goals: To play professional football in the Premier league.
Role Model and Why: My parents because they have always supported me with my sport and are always at my matches, which helps me to play at my best.
What I am most looking forward to: Visiting our partnership schools and meeting the children who attend the schools.
Mr Dieppe
Sport Experience: Mr Dieppe is a keen long-distance trail runner and has competed in a number of ultramarathons in recent years. Aside from running, he also enjoys a good game of tennis. Both activities are increasingly dependent on the state of his creaking joints and ragged tendons.
Other Interests: Much of his time is spent driving to and from athletics events and training whilst his son attempts to become a National Champion hurdler. He also enjoys reading and writing novels, having just finished his fourth.
What I am most looking forward to: Visiting both schools, and to hopefully, finally, see a penguin on a beach.
SQUAD No. 10
Thea S
Position: Wing Defence
Future Goals: I want to see a pangolin, an endangered species, in its natural environment. I want to travel the world and do well at School and in my future studies.
Role Model and Why: The Gladiators, Fury and Cyclone, as they are strong, fierce, determined and tough.
What I am most looking forward to: Playing netball in completely different new surroundings and also seeing all the different wildlife.
Huw W
Position: Centre
Future Goals: Working for NASA as an engineer and designing space crafts and rovers.
Role Model and Why: Elon Musk because he founded Space X and is also an engineer.
What I am most looking forward to: Playing barefoot rugby with all my friends against Ncemaneni.
Mr Brinkley
Sport Experience: Mr Brinkley is a former professional cricketer. He played for Worcestershire CCC, Durham CCC and represented Scotland at the 1999 Cricket World Cup and 1998 Commonwealth Games. He also played rugby for the Worcester Wanderers.
Other Interests: Mr Brinkley is a keen cyclist and loves exploring the island of Majorca. He enjoys walks with his wife, Kim. He also loves skiing so organising the Winterfold ski trip is a happy bonus.
What I am most looking forward to: Mr Brinkley is very excited to visit our old friends at Ncemaneni and new friends at Ncekuya school. He is hoping to spot a leopard, which has eluded him for 24 years. With a healthy appetite, he once looked confused when a waiter asked if he wanted his steak medium - his answer: “large, please!”
Mrs Stark
Sport Experience: Mrs Stark attended Performing Arts School from age 11, where games and PE were replaced with hours of dance. Since becoming a mother, she has spent many hours on football and rugby sidelines and appreciates the benefits of team sports.
Other Interests: Mrs Stark has a passion for theatre and regularly attends professional and amateur performances locally and in the West End. She hopes to join the amateur theatre group at her local theatre in Tenbury and ‘tread the boards’ again.
What I am most looking forward to: Mrs Stark last visited South Africa in 1996 while backpacking after university. As her student funds did not stretch to a game drive then, she is excited to return, go on safari and hopefully see the Big Five.
SQUAD
Memories from the 2024 tour
A Message from Ashley Giles
I was fortunate enough to spend four winters in South Africa from the age of 19, playing cricket and experiencing a country that left a lasting mark on meboth as a cricketer and as a person.
It is a truly beautiful place. From stunning coastlines and dramatic mountain backdrops to world-class cricket grounds set against unforgettable scenery, it’s a country that inspires you the moment you arrive. But what makes it even more special are the people. Warm, welcoming, and generous - yet fiercely competitive on the field - they create an environment that challenges you to raise your game while making you feel completely at home.
Touring there will improve your sport but most importantly, you’ll build friendships that can last a lifetime - just as I did. The shared experiences, the time spent travelling, training, and competing together in such a special setting are things you’ll never forget.
Good luck to everyone heading out. Embrace every moment and enjoy what is a truly gorgeous country.
Memories and Signatures from the Tour
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