St Mary’s Catholic High School / 6 Nov
Flanders Trip Day 2:
Today has been a very special, very busy day. After breakfast in our lovely hotel, we made our way to the Passchendaele Museum. This is a beautiful site that hosts what can only be described as an immersive experience: there are real uniforms to see; videos to watch; screens to interact with; opportunities to smell artefacts; the chance to walk through a fully-recreated bunker; and even mock trenches that our pupils could duck down through. The time here really brought the war to life for many.
From the museum, we travelled into Ypres to see the Menin Gate, that we would return to later, before visiting the highlight of the trip for many - the Belgium chocolate shop! After spending more than a pretty penny there, we had some lunch and free time in the wonderful town of Ypres, before heading to St George’s church and the Ramparts cemetery. Throughout the day, our guide, Bart, has been able to fill us in on the significance and meaning behind these sites, as well as some of the horrifying statistics that colour this area’s importance during WW1.
We are really very proud of two of pupils in particular today. Emma and Lucie were all able to visit the graveyards of relatives to pay their respects. It was lovely to see so many of their friends supporting them in doing so, in what are quite small, lesser-known cemeteries around the Ypres salient.
After a quick turnaround to change at the hotel, we enjoyed a delicious evening meal together in Ypres, before attending the Menin Gate ceremony where the Last Post is played.
Emma and Lucie did a superb job, laying the wreath and taking part with confidence and composure. It is something that they are sure to never forget. They represented our school in their uniforms with conviction.
We have another busy day planned tomorrow, but, for today, what has been really noticeable is just how many thoughtful observations the pupils have made. This, coupled with their sensitive questions, is making the trip all the more fulfilling.
