STUDENTS and staff at Peter Symonds College will be saying their goodbyes to three students who will be returning to their homes on the remotest settlement on the planet.

Students Jade Repetto, Janice Green and Rhyanna Swain travelled from the islands of Tristan Da Cunha in the South Atlantic to Peter Symonds College in Winchester to board at the college while they studied for post-16 qualifications.

Tristan da Cunha is a remote group of volcanic islands the south Atlantic Ocean and the most remote settlement in the world, lying approximately 1,343 miles from its nearest neighbour, Saint Helena. With a population of roughly 250, limited resources and an intermittent internet connection the islands cannot support post-16 education either in school or through online study and so students must travel abroad.

The islands are reachable by a six-day boat trip from Cape Town, but due to the irregularity of boat departures the students have not been able to return home since arriving in Britain in the summer of 2017, as the return journey would take too long to complete.

Jade, who is studying A levels in Business, Classical Civilisation and English Language and Literature; Janice, studying A level Business, A level Product Design and a BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Sport; and Rhyanna, studying A Level English Language and a Diploma in Health and Social Care, are the first inhabitants of Tristan Da Cunha to make the journey to Britain for their education in nearly 30 years.

Janice said: “My mum studied in Britain and encouraged me to grab this experience, as it was my one opportunity.”

Rhyanna added: “Being the first in a number of generations to come away to further my education feels like a big achievement.”

Although all three students admitted to missing their family and friends, adapting to life in the UK went smoother than the students expected. Jade said: “Our expectations were based on what we’d seen on TV. We settled into college quickly and everyone was so welcoming we soon felt at home, but it probably took about six months to adapt and feel confident off campus.”

Reflecting on the experience Jade said: “I’ve made friends for life and had experiences and opportunities I would never have had otherwise. I’ve met such a diverse group of people from across the world.” Janice added “My confidence has really grown and I’m so much more independent. If I hadn’t taken this opportunity I’d have regretted it.”

The students plan to spend some time at home in Tristan Da Cunha for a year or two before returning to the UK to continue their education, with Jade and Janice considering apprenticeships and Rhyanna a career in nursing.

Julia West, head of boarding, said: “Jade, Janice and Rhyanna have embodied the attitude that education is a privilege and grasped the whole experience. During their time here we have learnt as much from them as they have from us.”