Day 1 – Remembering Their Sacrifice
An early, rainy start didn’t dampen our spirits as we made our way to Belgium. Our first stop was Lijssenthoek Cemetery, where we saw our first war graves and paid our respects to Phoebe’s great-great-uncle, Private W.R. Messer. We also took a moment to honour Nurse Nelly Spindler and all the women who served in the war, including Toby’s great-great-grandmother, who worked on the frontlines in a casualty clearing station.
As the sun began to set, we arrived at Tyne Cot, where we had the privilege of honouring Zac’s great-great-uncle, Private William Stevens. From there, we travelled to Ypres for dinner and the Menin Gate ceremony, where Connor and Elodie proudly represented the school, laying a wreath at the Last Post Ceremony.
We will remember them.
Day 2 – Walking in Their Footsteps
The day began with a visit to the Bayernwald trenches before crossing into France to explore the history of the Battle of the Somme. We walked the Sunken Lane, climbed to Hawthorn Ridge, and stood in the trenches at Beaumont Hamel, imagining the conditions faced by soldiers over a century ago.
After lunch, Private Owen and David gave us insight into a soldier’s daily life by taking us through their kit and uniform. We ended the day at the Thiepval Memorial, where another breathtaking sunset marked our reflection on the thousands who remain missing.
Day 3 – A Journey of Reflection
A chilly start didn’t slow us down as we made our way to Lochnagar Crater, the deepest on the Somme, a powerful reminder of the destruction of war. At the Wellington Quarries, we learned about the New Zealand miners and the Battle of Arras before heading to Vimy Ridge.
We also visited Neuville-St-Vaast, the German cemetery holding over 44,000 burials, and finally, the Ring of Remembrance at Notre Dame de Lorette, where we searched for the names of over 580,000 soldiers. It was a poignant end to our journey before we made our way back to Calais and home.
This trip has been an unforgettable experience—one filled with learning, reflection, and lasting memories. The pupils were a credit to themselves and the school, and we are incredibly proud of them. A huge thank you to all the staff—Mrs. Wadey, Mrs. Williams, and Mr. Kelleher—as well as the fantastic David from Anglia Tours for making this weekend so special.
Reflections from our pupils:
“I thought it was very educational, I enjoyed it very much.” – Owen R
“A very humbling experience. Seeing the battlefields and where the soldiers actually fought put everything into perspective.” – Sam H & Jo G
“So inspiring. Thank you.” – Harry H
