Australian Exchange Programme 2026
22 April 2026 - Co-Curricular
Last term, six Wycombe Abbey pupils travelled to Australia to participate in a three-week long exchange programme, immersing themselves in the academic and cultural life of Perth and Sydney. By staying with host families and attending local schools, St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School in Perth and Tara Anglican School for Girls in Sydney, the girls gained insightful perspectives on the Australian way of life.
The West Coast: Perth
In Western Australia, Nelly, Sophia and Phoebe balanced a rigorous academic schedule with the active, outdoor lifestyle typical of the region. Their school days included unique electives such as Marine Science and Textiles. Academic immersion was complemented by a visit to the Supreme Court of Western Australia, where the girls observed live proceedings. While they enjoyed participating in a mock trial, they were struck by the gravity of the legal system, with Phoebe observing that the real cases were ‘super interesting’ and provided a ‘first-hand’ look at Australian justice.
Outside the classroom, the girls embraced Perth’s coastal culture, often starting their days with surfing lessons or visits to ‘Yochi’, the local frozen yogurt favourite.
They also engaged with professional athletes, receiving a motivational talk from five-time Olympic medallist, Nat Cook. Wildlife encounters were frequent; the group visited Rottnest Island to see quokkas and Caversham Wildlife Park, where they held koalas and milked cows. Sophia shared a particularly memorable moment from a trip to a local golf course: ‘I saw a joey in its mum’s pouch! It was something I really wanted to see, it was so worth the wait’.
The Perth trip concluded on a high note when the girls attended an AFL match and witnessed the West Coast Eagles break a year-long losing streak. Reflecting on the atmosphere, Nelly spoke of the strong sense of community at the match: ‘I started getting really into the game and I understand it now… it was a massive deal.’ Charlotte echoed this enthusiasm, describing the exchange as ‘an unforgettable and amazing trip.’
The East Coast: Sydney
In Sydney, Charlotte, Lara and Anni experienced a blend of metropolitan landmarks and the rugged Australian interior. Their time was spent visiting iconic sites like the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and Taronga Zoo. Charlotte had the opportunity to travel three hours inland to Dunedoo to stay on a working farm. Her weekend involved herding cattle and sheep, as well as a close encounter with a huntsman spider that emerged from a car’s glove box!
The academic experience in Sydney provided unexpected insights. During a careers assessment at school, Charlotte noted, ‘I got 100% recommended to be a journalist… which was really interesting and I may think about it in the future!’. Meanwhile, Anni and Lara immersed themselves in the performing arts and wider school community, taking part in the school’s Easter service. Anni also commented on the warmth and kindness of the local students, particularly the younger pupils, recalling how ‘some very friendly Year 9’s came up to us and asked us lots of questions about life in England’.
As the trip drew to a close, Charlotte reflected on the lasting bonds formed with her hosts: ‘I realised that it was the last time I would see them, so we exchanged numbers and we have all promised to keep in touch’.
This exchange embodies Wycombe Abbey’s commitment to fostering a global impact and cultural understanding. As Lara reflected on their final day, ‘Overall, this has been a really wonderful experience and thank you so much for this amazing opportunity!’
We were proud of how confidently the girls engaged with every part of the experience and we look forward to offering more pupils the chance to take part in similar opportunities in the years ahead.
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