Year 9 France and Belgium Trip 

Bonjour! 94 students from Year 9 visited France and Belgium last week as part of their History and French studies and we think they would say that their trip was fantastique!

After a very early 4.30am start on Day 1, we made our way over the channel and spent our first afternoon visiting Langemark German cemetery and Tyne Cot British cemetery. Pupils were able to compare the two and see the contrast in how fallen German and British soldiers are remembered. We arrived at the hostel where we had dinner and then got settled into our rooms.

Day 2 was a busy day with some really interesting visits. We visited the Thiepval memorial, which commemorates soldiers lost in the Battles of the Somme who have no known grave. We also had a trip down into the Wellington Quarries where we donned our helmets to learn all about the history of the quarries and the Battle of Arras. In addition to this, we had the chance to shop in a French supermarket and had some free time in Ypres with a visit to a Belgian chocolate shop. Lots of sugar was purchased!

Over the course of Days 1 and 2, we were able to find the names of relatives of several students and staff and lay some wreaths in memoriam. These were very poignant, thought-provoking experiences.  

On Day 3 we moved away from History and popped over into France for a French day! We visited a snail farm where we learnt fascinating facts about the lives of snails and then we got to handle them. Most students were very brave and tested out the snails’ magical moisturising properties! This was followed by a tasting session that left a very garlicky taste. We also visited Le Touquet, a beautiful French seaside town where students completed a town trail and practised their French in the various shops and ice cream parlours along the way. We were super impressed with the French used by students to order many ice creams and baguettes! This day finished with a visit to the Menin Gate for the Last Post Ceremony, which takes place every single day of the year. Here too, several students found the names of their relatives.   

Finally, on Day 4, before travelling home, we visited the museum and gardens at Passchendaele, a fascinating place where students learnt about many aspects of the war including trenches, weapons, uniforms and accommodation.

We would like to say a big thank you to Year 9, who were brilliant – we had compliments about their behaviour, manners and the respect they showed on every visit we made, as well as in the hostel we stayed in. Our thanks also to all the staff (both in school and who joined us on the trip) – without their support these trips would not be possible. 

Mrs L Samworth and Mrs S Gray-Smith

Staff are invited to nominate students who have demonstrated a Growth Mindset in the past few weeks. This might have been in lessons, in clubs, tutor time or simply around school. Please note we already award bi-annual subject badges and merits for good academic work, effort and improvement. These Growth Mindset nominations recognise those who show resilience (academic or otherwise); who aren’t afraid to get things wrong and learn from it; those who have a go, take themselves out of their comfort zone or show that even if a task is tough, they will persevere.