Y6 Cherbourg Trip - September 2008
The pupils were full of excitement and a little apprehensive as we met
in the dark for an early morning departure. We headed off for Portsmouth and
the fast ferry to Cherbourg. The crossing was a little bumpy and quite a few of
us ended up outside in the little decked area at the stern, taking big lung-fuls
of air and watching the rapidly-disappearing horizon!
Once on French soil we headed straight for Bayeux. The pupils were
mesmerised by the tapestry, and sketched studiously in the dark, choosing their
favourite scenes (often quite gory ones!). The next stop was the Cathedral,
where they added architectural backgrounds to their sketches, and impressed
members of the public with their quiet and hard-working approach. David P was later awarded the Art Prize for his sketching at the Tapestry and in the
Cathedral. After a little wander through the town and some free time in a park,
where the fountain was the main attraction, we returned to the coach and then
back to Cherbourg.
Everyone was very excited on arriving at the Youth Hostel, and most keen
to find out who they would be rooming with! After a typical French supper it
was off to bed, although some were quicker to get to sleep than others...
Next morning we were all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready for
anything after hot chocolate and baguettes with jam for breakfast. One slightly
damp walk later we were at the market, to carry out some French tasks (and a
bit of shopping!), where Jennifer A won the French prize for her language
work.
Then it was off to the final destination – the Cité de la Mer, which
looks at all aspects of undersea exploration. We toured a real (decommissioned)
nuclear submarine, with its miles of pipes and cables, and then headed for the
amazing displays of the aquarium (the tallest in Europe). Undoubtedly a
highlight was the “petting pool”, where the main aim was to stroke the sharks!
Fortunately these were not of the man-eating variety...!
We ended up with the newest element of the complex – a series of
training sessions culminating with us all starring in our very own simulator-based
movies! Lots of giggles here!
All too early it was time to go home. The return crossing was much
smoother, and allowed Tom G to scoop the final prize for the Bayeux
Tapestry quiz.
Tired but happy we returned to school to the awaiting hordes of parents,
eager to relate blow-by-blow accounts of our French adventure.
Thanks to Mrs Bellars, Miss Jackson, Miss Travis, Mr Bellars and Mr
Blackstone for running such a good trip – and special thanks to Year 6 for
being such good company.