Three Raine's pupils attend 20th World Scout Jamboree in Thailand
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Three Raine's pupils attend 20th World Scout Jamboree in Thailand |
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Three Raine's Foundation School pupils have just returned from the 20th World Scout Jamboree in Thailand. Alfie Jackson, 14, from Hackney, Sophie Bowman, 14, from Leytonstone and Peter Thompson, 17, from Hackney, spent three weeks in the Far East representing the London scout troops. The event, which was held from 28th December, 2002 - 7th January, 2003, attracted over 24,000 scouts - boys and girls aged between 14-17 years old from 140 countries in the world. Over 3,000 scouts from England participated in the event which is held every four years at a different location around the world. The Jamboree, convened under the theme 'Share our World, Share our Cultures', was located at Sattahip, near Bangkok. "It was an amazing experience meeting people from different cultures and different faiths," said Alfie Jackson, a scout with the City of London Troop. "It was good to realise that we all, wherever we came from, could get along," said Sophie Bowman.
Peter Thompson (14th Hackney Explorer Unit), right, with UK Chief Scout George Purdy
Although they had to put up with minor discomforts such as food poisoning and camping in a tent for the whole event, this did not stop them participating in a wide range of activities that included rock climbing, windsurfing, Thai cooking and dragon boat racing. During a community service day, the three Raine's pupils helped paint a local community hall and lay pavement slabs around it. They were rewarded with some excellent Thai food! Everyone at the Jamboree participated in the Opening, Closing and Inter-Religious ceremonies, as well as the New Year celebrations.
The 20th World Scout Jamboree Emblem
"It was quite hot there - temperatures went up to 42 degrees centigrade," said Alfie Jackson. "It was a wonderful event - I can't wait for the next one."
Peter Thompson (14th Hackney Explorer Unit) with Thai Scouts at the 20th World Scout Jamboree
At the end of the Jamboree, the three Raine's pupils managed to find time to fly to Singapore, taking time to participate in a night-time safari. "We would especially like to thank the Raine's Foundation Trust, Livery Companies of the City of London, the Corporation of London and numerous sponsors such as Sainsbury's who helped us fund the trip. We really appreciate their help" said Peter Thompson who is with the 14th Hackney Explorer Unit. "The trip, as promised, was an experience of a lifetime. My Scout Unit has provided continual support over the past two years for which I am very grateful." The 21st World Scout Jamboree will be held in England, the home of scouting, in 2007. Over 40,000 scouts are expected to attend the event which coincides with the centenary of scouting. |
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Further information about Raine's Foundation School today can be found at: www.rainesfoundation.org.uk
Further information about The Old Raineians' Association can be found at: www.oldraineians.com
Further information about individual Old Raineians, including their memories of the school and their teachers, a message board, a list of famous pupils and some school photographs, can be found at: www.friendsreunited.co.uk
