Half Term in Germany and Belgium

From the 27th October to 1st November 2018, a group of 24 students from both the Lower and Upper School, accompanied by Mrs Archer, Ms Salimi and Mr Wilson, went on a trip to the Rhine Valley in Germany, as well as Ypres and Bruges, in Belgium.

During our first 4 days in Germany, we visited some of Germany’s historical sites that were rich in culture, such as the Cochem Castle and Marksburg Castle, followed by an enchanting cruise down the River Rhine and the River Mosel. The beautiful scenes enthralled us with picturesque and captivating landscapes. We also had a wine tasting experience in a vineyard (well, grape juice for the younger students), a cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument, and a tour of the Cologne Chocolate Museum.

On Day 5, we left to visit Bruges, Belgium – a mecca for chocolate lovers. Students had plenty of free time to explore Bruges city, and indulge in appetising, local food. At night, we attended the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. As this was drawing close to the 100th Remembrance Day, we appreciated the opportunity to witness such a special occasion, honouring those who sacrificed their lives for their beloved country. Our last stop before heading back to school was a visit to some of the World War 1 battlefield sites. This was a very eye-opening experience and we were immersed and captivated by a number of stories behind those brave soldiers.

All in all, it certainly was an amazing, insightful and unforgettable trip. Not only did we make lots of new friends, we also had the opportunity to engage with the fellow people there and to explore these two beautiful countries.

Laura – 6.1