This year 19 F12 students completed their CAS portfolios with a journey to São Tomé. Building on the work and experiences of last year’s trip we returned to the base of the charity Missão Dimix in Roca Agua Ize where we met with school children and completed a beach clean. Thanks to the contributions of the OBS community we were able to support the charity Missão Dimix both financially and with donations of back packs, sports equipment, clothes and stationery.

We also had the pleasure of eating once again at Nina’s House. Nina lives in Morro de Peixe and works with the organisation Tato. This foundation works hard to protect the five different turtle species which can be found on the island. We were lucky enough to complete a night patrol walk with local elder and founder of Tato, Mr Hippolito.

Our students were treated to live music and dancing at Cacau, a cultural centre in the middle of the capital and then went on to wow the audience with an impromptu OBS band version of Valerie. Other highlights included surfing at Praia das Sete Ondas, trekking in the south of the island and the hair-raising boat trip to Ilhéu das Rolas. Here the geography geeks amongst us got the opportunity to stand on the equator.

We are already planning next year’s trip and there will be dates to look out for in the new school year when our CAS students will be organising fundraising events for the charities we work will continue to work with and activities to educate the school community about life on the islands and their culture.