Published February 4th, 2024
At 4am on Friday 31st January, a group of pupils and staff set off in the coach to Belgium for the weekend.
They were embarking on a journey to the Battlefields in Ypres and surrounding areas in Belgium and France – a trip not only for educational experience but also a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy today.
Their itinerary was packed full of visits to WW1 Battlefields and cemeteries, along with museum visits, a chocolate shop visit and an opportunity to pay respects at the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony.
We asked Mr Rooney to share his highlights from the trip…
Highlights from Belgium
The Menin Gate wreath laying at the Last Post by Aiden, Jacob and Oscar. Incredibly respectfully done and a real source of pride for the school.
The engagement, attentiveness curiosity, respectfulness and behaviour of our pupils on the trip – our drivers and tour guide commented on how great they were and that we were their best ever group!
Going through the trenches at Sanctuary Wood, Hill 63 and experiencing the damp conditions and dark tunnels of a trench network.
Being astounded at the scale of Tyne Cot Cemetary and Langemark Cemetary and shocked at the age of one soldier at Essex Farm – a mere 15 years.
Exploring the preserved trench networks of the Canadians at both Newfoundland site and Vimy Ridge (and seeing the narrowest stretch of no mans land).
Away from the battlefields – the chocolate shop spending frenzy, the competitiveness around the table tennis (RRO undefeated!), the creating of Dance Live bracelets and the general camaraderie of the whole group – all were involved and all were welcome!
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