Belgium, Battlefields

Year 9 overnight trip to Belgium Battlefields – 7 – 8 February 2024

Year 9 students had the great opportunity to visit the Belgium battlefields and museums on 7-8 February 2024. Students travelled via coach very early on Wednesday morning and had a packed two days. Mr Langdon and Ms Dore provided detailed information sheets for everyone and was an excellent tour guide! Students visited two very large cemeteries and many others were passed as we travelled in the area about Ypres, which really brought home the enormity of the death toll in the first world war. Students found the two museums extremely informative and will especially remember the two trench sites. The second one was an original British trench including some tunnels (very long, low, dark and muddy which intrepid students went through), original corrugated iron supports and lots of craters surrounding the trenches. 

On Wednesday evening the students heard the Last Post at the Menin Gate and were impressed that this ceremony has taken place every evening since 1928 (except during the second world war) to commemorate all those who died. 

After a long day, students enjoyed relaxing in the hostel in the evening. They also had a treat of visiting a Belgian chocolate shop on the second day to bring gifts home.

It was a very memorable and moving trip that will certainly provide students with a clearer picture of the war conditions. The school will now start planning next year's trip for the current year 8s.

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