The trip to France began with an exciting moment crossing the channel as some children went on the Eurotunnel for the very first time. It was hot in the coach but we tucked into our sandwiches to boost energy levels for our first two visits. The first stop was Ambleteuse where we had a tour of a Second World War museum. The curator gave everyone a questionnaire to fill in as we wandered around the exhibits. There was a huge variety of military uniforms from different countries and details about various key events during the war as well as displays relating to everyday wartime life. Whilst we watched a film about the D Day landings, the questionnaires were marked and prizes given to the lucky winners. The gift shop proved to be very popular but we eventually made our way to Etaples to visit the First World War British cemeter
At the cemetery we took it in turns to look at the registers for soldiers bearing our surname. The cemetery was vast and we were all struck by the neat rows of graves reminding us that so many lives had been lost. Some pupils found graves bearing their family name however Mr Watson and Mrs Barker will have to return another year to
complete their search!
We stayed at a residential centre called Stella Maris in Berck-sur-Mer. Just after our arrival we had our evening meal which was delicious. The children enjoyed trying the food and unanimously agreed that breakfast was the best meal of the day – the croissants were rather large!
On the second day the weather was overcast and a bit chilly but the market at Etaples beckoned. The children had questionnaires to complete in their groups which included finding out what kinds of fruit, veg, cheese, meat and non-food items are sold and enquiring about the prices. There was also plenty of time for shopping before a short walk to the fish market by the small port. This really was amazing to see – lots of different kinds of fish and seafood and a fabulous demonstration of skill in preparing the produce by the local fishmongers.
In the afternoon we went to the local primary school in the little town of Verton. Firstly we were invited into the classroom where the French children presented themselves in English and our children reciprocated in French. Then we moved to the gym which gave the children more space to chat to their partners. Despite initial nerves on both sides everyone tried their very best and managed to make themselves understood. J5 and 6 put lots of effort into the preparation for this moment and should feel proud of their achievement in having a French conversation with a native speaker of their own age. The afternoon’s work finished with an impromptu football match (France 2 : Angleterre 2) and afternoon tea of pains au chocolat and a selection of English biscuits which we had brought with us.
Our last visit of the day was to a traditional sweet shop in Berck where the sweets are hand made using spun sugar. The group watched in awe as the confectioner showed us the different stages of sweet making. Then it was our turn to make a lollipop into whatever shape we fancied then eat it! I think the shop had record sales figures for that afternoon!
On the last day the sun shone and the temperature got up to 17 degrees, perfect for a sand sailing lesson. Unfortunately there was not enough wind for us to go very far but we shared the kart with a friend so we could take turns at pushing each other. The instructors were brilliant and it wasn’t too difficult to learn how to rig the sail and steer the kart. They also said that we were a fantastic group – not only attentive and sensible but quick to learn and actually rather good! After a quick stop at the local supermarket to stock up on goodies and spend those last few Euros we headed back to the centre for lunch and to load our bags onto the coach. As it was Mrs Breare’s birthday we had a surprise waiting in the form of a specially made lovely bavarois cake. Sadly there wasn’t enough for all the children so the staff and Rebeccah had to eat it!
On the way to the Eurotunnel we stopped at a traditional bakery where we had an informative and hands on demonstration of how to make croissants and prepare the dough for the next day’s bread. We learnt that the secret to croissant making is rolling up the triangle of dough properly which wasn’t as it easy as it looked! The bread is cooked in a traditional oven using oak branches for a distinctive taste and those who took some home thought it was delicious.
During the return journey the children added to their worksheets and wrote in their diaries until we stopped and had a mini prize giving ceremony. Categories included the tidiest bedrooms, effort in speaking French at the primary school, sand sailing and kindness to others. We arrived back at Rendcomb an hour early and although everyone was glad to see their families there was an air of sadness not to be in France. The trip was all that we had hoped it would be – fun, interesting and educational and it was a pleasure to take such a lovely group of children abroad. I do hope that they have had an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Adrienne Barker (French teacher)