Category Archives: School Trips
History trip to Ypres
Year 9 CORS and HAMW visits to the First World War sites of Ypres, Belgium 2009
After a very early 5.30 am departure, both groups had speedy journeys to Belgium through the Channel Tunnel, with driver Mike. First stop: the trenches! And our wellies were needed after the recent rain. We all appreciated how cold and wet conditions would have been, with men in position on the front lines for days at a time.
Following a well earned hot meal at the hostel, we departed for the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. Holly Rush and Rob Flather laid our wreath on behalf of CORS, and Chloe Wright and Harvey Plant on behalf of HAMW. Our living wreaths, as always, looked absolutely beautiful and were provided by Theodora’s Florist in Corsham. Additionally, on the first of the two visits, Mr Holgate was chosen to give the reading, which he said was “nerve-racking but very memorable”. Back at the hostel, we all ‘relaxed’ at the end of a long day with our ‘Belgian Bar Quiz’ during which competition was fierce! Our beds were very welcome at the end of such a busy day.
After a busy morning in Ypres on Day 2, visiting a number of sites including the interactive ‘In Flander’s Fields’ museum and the Belgian chocolate shop, we departed for Calais via ‘City Europe’, where students practised their linguistics with some retail therapy, before being whisked back to ‘Blighty’.
The students were impeccably behaved whilst touring all of the sites, and particularly whilst visiting the cemeteries. Thank you to all the students and staff who participated this year, and made each visit so special! If any participants have any photos of the visits, please email them to Mr Parsons at ele-manager@corsham.wilts.sch.uk, for the School Website – chocolates for the best photo!
Year 9 Expedition to Morocco
Year 9 Expedition to Morocco ~ July 2009
A group of 11 students from Year 9 completed their expedition to Morocco at the end of the Summer term. This was the culmination of 18 months of preparation and fund raising. Many were able to raise all the funds for the trip with all sorts of different ventures. There was bag packing, car washing, dog walking, newspaper rounds, sponsored walks as well as a sponsored cycle ride from Lands End to Corsham.
The students met regularly in school to prepare for the expedition and were accompanied by Miss Daltrey and Mr McLeod.
When the team reached Marrakech they had a day to acclimatise to the high temperatures and the very different culture. They then headed to the Atlas mountains and stayed in a mountain village called Armend where they spent some time with the local community. From there they headed to the spectacular Cascades d’Ouzoud and then on to the mountain region called the M’Goun Massif. After meeting their mules and muleteers, they set off on a challenging 4 day trek through the mountains and lush valleys of the M’Goun. Conditions were very challenging with temperatures on some days in the high 40’s (Celsius!) The team were either camping or they stayed in friendly but basic Berber hostels, meeting the locals whose lives are largely unchanged since medieval times.
Then the team headed south to Zagora and on into the Sahara Desert on camels for an evening in a Berber tent under the stars.
From there it was a long journey back to Marrakech. The last day was spent exploring the labyrinth of different souks for some last minute haggling and in the evening it was Djemaa El Fna Square with its dramatic mix of musicians, healers, storytellers dancers & snake charmers.
