The boys and their families have worked tirelessly for months, fundraising more than $20,000 towards their trip, which will tour some of England's greatest theatre and drama venues.
Tour organiser and English teacher Stewart Tagg said the boys were glad the fundraising was over.
''They're sick of the sight of cheese rolls and raffle tickets.
''We've also sold firewood, held movie nights and done stadium clean-ups - you name it, we've done it.
''But it will all be worth it once they get on the plane,'' he said yesterday.
Mr Tagg said the boys and three staff were leaving today for a 14-day trip, during which they would visit Stratford-upon-Avon (the birthplace of Shakespeare), Oxford University (J.R.R. Tolkein's old stamping ground) and London's West End. Mr Tagg said it was the first major cultural tour to England by a group from the school.
''The boys study a lot of Shakespeare and we thought we could be a little bit ambitious and actually go to the source of these great shows.''
