Tuesday 31 October 2017

VISIT TO BATTLEFIELDS YEAR 9

VISIT TO BATTLEFIELDS YEAR 9
The Battlefields Trip to Ypres returned on Sunday with a bus full of very tired year 9 pupils. The three days were packed full of information about World War I and pupils saw for themselves the enormity of the event. We visited a number of Commonwealth Cemeteries where pupils were told about battles that took place, and about individuals who were buried there. We also visited ‘In Flanders Museum’, The Christmas Day Truce, the Pool of Peace, Tyne Cot, Langemark, St Georges Church and Menin Gate. Some pupils wrote messages on our wreaths that were laid at Tyne Cot, Langemark and ‘The Last Post’ Ceremony at Menin Gate. The pupils were an absolute credit to the school. They stood out so much from other schools with their school uniforms so much so that an official at ‘The Last Post’ Ceremony asked us to seal the road behind the buglers. Following our visit, Mr Wellbeloved received this email we thought would be nice to share with you.

Dear Mr Wellbeloved

My wife and I were at the Menin Gate on Saturday evening for the ceremony of The Last Post. Fifty five of us, many ex military like me, had walked 100 kms in 3 days along part of the front line (raising funds for the Army Benevolent Fund), finishing at the Menin Gate. She and I went to look at the wreaths laid that night and I just wanted to say how moved we were by what was written on the wreath from your school. It was beautifully expressed and captured exactly what we all feel, and it stood out amongst the other wreaths laid that night.

I see from your website that it was your Year 9s who were visiting the battlefields and we would appreciate it if you could pass on our congratulations and thanks to whoever wrote those words. They meant a great deal to us and were all the more powerful coming from that age group.

With best wishes
MK