On Friday 13th February students set off on their residential trip to the French and Belgian Battlefields. They visited several sites of interest including. Their first stop was Lijssenthoek Cemetery, the largest hospital site of the British Army during the First World War. They explored Vimy Ridge and the trench lines between Canadian and German soldiers, they walked up the ridge to see the Canadian memorial for those lost in the battles on this French site. At Arras in France, they had a guided walk through a small section of the miles of tunnels.
Students went to Polygon Wood Cemetery where they wrote a personal message of remembrance and observed a minute’s silence. They walked the German frontline at Bayernwald Trenches, understanding features of trenches and the problems of trench life. They experiences trenches in the snow.
On the final day of the trip students visited Hill 60 to see how close the British and German front lines were to each other, they then went to the Pool of Peace to reflect on all that they have seen and learned.
Throughout their time away students showed respect, empathy and maturity.
