Published on: 30 July 2026



So far this year, 13 Christ Church students have taken part in international exchanges through the Beyond Queenslea Drive (BQD) program, travelling to France, the United Kingdom, South Africa and China. With four students currently overseas and seven international exchange students recently welcomed to CCGS, the program continues to connect students with schools and cultures around the world.

Designed for Year 10 students, the BQD program pairs boys with partner schools for exchanges lasting between four and ten weeks, giving them the opportunity to experience life in another country while developing independence, resilience and lasting friendships.

For students returning from exchange, the experience has been about much more than attending school overseas.

Year 10 students Theodore Russell, Callum Gibbs and Casper Niedinger spent their exchanges at Michaelhouse in South Africa, where they embraced the traditions of boarding life, experienced the school’s strong sense of community and immersed themselves in a unique sporting culture. Beyond the classroom, Theodore explored Durban and Lesotho, Callum went shark diving, while Casper completed the school’s 56-kilometre iNhlosane hike and visited a local Zulu township, experiences that gave the students a deeper appreciation of South Africa’s people and culture.

In the United Kingdom, Flynn Mattiske and Josh Wong were among the CCGS students who attended Tonbridge School, where they adapted to a different style of school life and became part of a close-knit boarding community. Outside of school, Flynn explored some of London’s most iconic landmarks, while Josh enjoyed travelling through Scotland with his host family, making the most of every opportunity to experience life in the UK.

The BQD program continues to be a defining part of the Year 10 experience, encouraging students to embrace new challenges, broaden their perspectives and return home with lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories.