Trips
First World War Centenary Battlefields Trip
Last week, I was delighted to take four of our students on one of the First World War Centenary Battlefields trips organised and led by the UCL Institute of Education. As with...
First World War Centenary Battlefields Trip
Last week, I was delighted to take four of our students on one of the First World War Centenary Battlefields trips organised and led by the UCL Institute of Education. As with our visit last year it was a wonderful experience.
We joined students and teachers from six other schools in exploring key sites in Belgium and northern France associated with the battles fought around Ypres and the Somme. Blossom, Tom, Jhanavi and Noah were great ambassadors for Bushey Meads and now as the first step in following up the visit they will share their highlights. This is what Blossom thought;
I had an amazing time in Belgium and France, it was an unforgettable experience! I met lotss of new people and saw some mesmerising sights. 
I have to say my favourite part was when we went to the Menin Gate in Ypres; it was a once in a lifetime opportunity!
We were lucky enough to arrive in Ypres for Armistice Day (11th November) where we were able to watch the ceremony take place in the Menin Gate. There was a colossal crowd of over 1000 people; it was jam packed!
Our group were fortunate enough to have the opportunity of placing a wreath down. Alas, no one at Bushey Meads School was selected. Furthermore, it was an honourable and emotional experience! We watched the soldiers place their wreaths down and march off whilst a parade of service men played in two brass bands as they marched down the street. It was a special encounter that i will never forget, I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to take part! 
It certainly was an unforgettable experience but there were others too; visiting the Commonwealth cemeteries, watching a performance of “Journeys End” and taking part in a re-enactment of the ill-fated attempt to capture the village of Beaumont-Hamel (on the Somme battlefront) by soldiers of the 51st (Highland) Division from the “Sunken Lane”. All in all, it was a fabulous trip which all enjoyed.
