2011 Gap Year for Two Westlake Students



Left to right: David Ferguson (Headmaster), Dan Konia, Fraser Bowden, Jamie Wansey

 

 
Every year Jamie Wansey (Managing Director of Schooltravel.co.nz) places two lucky Westlake leavers at his father’s school in the UK on ‘School Sports Coaching Gap Years.’ Jonathan Wansey (Headmaster of Crosfields School) has received New Zealand Gap Year students at his school for over 10 years. Fraser Bowden and Dan Konia from Westlake were the two students who were picked for 2011. Fraser recounts his experiences of his year abroad below:
 
"In 2011, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to work at Crosfields School in Reading, England as part of my Gap year.

I worked in a fantastic Sports Department, assisting the staff in their coaching of Rugby, Cricket and Football. It was nice knowing that you were having a positive influence on many of the kids’ sporting abilities. We were also able to take full advantage of the school’s wonderful facilities, as we stayed in a flat on the school’s site.

The Gap year provided me with the responsibility of being independent. Over the past 18 years, Mum has been the one who has washed my clothes, bought the groceries, made dinner and kept the house tidy. However, it was now up to me to fulfil those obligations!  

The beauty of living in the UK is that you are a 60 minute flight to some amazing countries. During the school holidays, I was able to make the most of my time off and go travelling throughout the UK and Europe. In July, my sister joined me on a Contiki trip with a bunch of other Kiwis and Australians visiting Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Belgium and France. It was enthralling to explore the many cultures that make up Europe – straight out of school!

2011 was filled with work, sport, challenges, travel and fun. A year in which life-long friendships were formed.

Quite simply the best year of my life!"
 
Fraser Bowden