Year 7 Trip To Normandy
Last week, our Year 7 pupils enjoyed another fantastic adventure across the Channel on our annual Normandy trip. This was the third time we have run the visit and, fittingly, it was also the third time we were lucky enough to have our ever-cheerful and incredibly kind driver, Craig, behind the wheel. We were delighted to have him with us once again!
Our trip got off to the best possible start. Thanks to a smooth journey to Dover, we managed to catch an earlier ferry than planned, allowing us to arrive at the beautiful Maison Saint Georges in Orbec ahead of schedule. The pupils wasted no time making the most of the wonderful outdoor space before we headed out to explore the charming town of Orbec itself.
Day two brought one of the highlights of the trip: meeting our French correspondents. After some energetic handball matches, pupils took part in a fun linguistic activity where both English and French were spoken throughout. Friendships were quickly formed, and everyone rose brilliantly to the challenge of communicating in another language. We then enjoyed a delicious four-course French school lunch before travelling to Caen.
A stroll through the historic streets of Caen followed, including a walk down the beautiful Rue Saint-Pierre. Unfortunately for some eager shoppers, our shopping time had to be reduced to a mere ten minutes! We were then fortunate to be guided by the lovely Camille during a fascinating visit to the Men’s Abbey, the final resting place of William the Conqueror. Our final stop of the day took us to the impressive Basilica of Lisieux, whose soaring heights left many of us looking skywards in amazement.
The following morning saw pupils reaching even greater heights at Beauregard Aventure, where most pupils tackled the exciting treetop adventure course. Once again, the weather was on our side and we enjoyed a sunny picnic lunch before travelling to Falaise Castle, birthplace of William the Conqueror. The castle’s interactive tablets helped bring its fascinating history vividly to life. To round off a wonderful day, we made a very popular stop at a French supermarket, where madeleines, sweets and other treats quickly filled shopping baskets.
Our final day took us to the picturesque harbour town of Honfleur. As we wandered through the market, we were lucky enough to witness a French wedding party celebrating on the steps of the town hall, adding an extra touch of French charm to the morning.
The journey home was largely smooth, although our ferry crossing provided a little extra excitement thanks to Force 4 winds. We then had an unexpected one-hour wait outside Dover Harbour while two cruise ships departed. Despite these minor delays, we arrived home safely, tired but smiling, with plenty of memories, souvenirs and stories to share.
