On Friday 13th June some of the Year 9 students set off on the French/History Trip 25 to immerse themselves in French culture and to learn about the history of the Battle of the Somme and visit the cemeteries of the First World War.
The first day involved an early start and a ferry crossing from Dover to Calais followed by a whole day immersing themselves in the French culture and language. Our first stop was the pretty seaside town of Boulogne-Sur-Mer where the girls were able to buy lunch, an ice cream and check out the souvenir shops all whilst practising or honing their French language skills. This was followed by a stop at a French boulangerie to taste a pain au chocolat and learn how to make bread. Our passionate baker spoke solely in French and the girls had lots of fun learning about his top baking tips. Then it was on to our lovely hotel to meet out amateur, Maryam.
Day two was the History Day where the girls visited the historic sites and cemeteries remembering the Battle of the Somme. They visited the Thiepval Memorial and Museum. The memorial commemorates more than 72,000 men of British and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave, the majority of whom died during the Somme offensive of 1916. The next stop was a visit to the Lochnagar Crater which exploded on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916. This is the largest crater on the Western Front with a diameter of 300 ft. and a depth of 70 ft. When the bomb was detonated, the explosion was felt in London. Our final stop was to visit Étaples war memorial and cemetery. Here the girls were given the task of choosing a soldier to honour and remember and give thanks to, in a small service of remembrance. Sophie, Olivia and Lana chose to honour Lieutenant George W Robinson who died on the 11th November 1918 – the last day of the war. The staff conducted a short service of remembrance, and then Lucy and Martha put down a wreath by the soldier’s grave. The evening’s activity with an animateur involved a quiz in French.
Day three was Parc Asterix Day – the girls had lots of fun on the rollercoasters while the staff watched a show about the Mona Lisa painting being stolen.
Day four was the day we headed home via a visit to L’Escargotiere Snail Farm Choque where the girls met and held the snails before being able to sample this French delicacy. Then it was to the ferry port for the journey home, despite a delay in catching the ferry the girls were a total credit to themselves and the school as they did not complain at all. It was an absolute pleasure to take the Year 9s on this trip.
