News from Form 6 in France

Monday

Today was our first full day and we have packed loads in to it, helped by the fact that the sun shone all day. We had a trip to the walled city of Montrieul sur Mer which is a very French town and a great experience for the children. We split in to two groups. One explored the walls walking around the whole town whilst the other explored the town on a language trail. They had to find their way round following directions in French. Some children need to know their left and right in English before they can successfully do this in a different language. 

We had lunch in the sunshine then off to visit the snail farm. The children found out all about snail farming and enjoyed handling them, getting to know them and then eating them. They were served them in different flavoured pastry cases, most children had a taste, even the staff. Chi was the champion snail eater!

The evening was rounded off with a game of mini golf and a walk back. As I sit here typing is all very quiet.

More tomorrow.

Mr R and the Team

 

Tuesday

Yet another day of glorious sunshine. Today we visited the town of Boulogne. Our visit started with a walking tour of the old walled town, taking in the castle, the famous basilica or cathedral with its 85m high dome, the town hall and an ancient keep which is now the town's clock tower. Our guides were very knowledgeable and were able to share a lot of the town's history with the children.

Lunch was eaten in the gardens in front of the town hall and then we went to play on the sandy beaches of Boulogne. 

During the afternoon we visited to Nausicca Sea Life Centre where we explored the oceans of the world. The children saw many different varieties of fish, sharks crocodiles and also enjoyed the sea lion show.

After dinner Form 5 (and Mr R and Mr L) enjoyed a couple of games of laser quest where Huw and Vincent proved to be the best sharp shooters.

Another busy day tomorrow when we will continue to post live posts via twitter. Don't forget to follow us @eversfield647.

Mr and the team.

 

Wednesday

Bonjour,

Today was our World War 1 day and proved to be a very reflective time for all of us. Once again the sun was shining as we started the day with a visit to Wellington Quarry. This was a chalk quarry dating from the middle ages and it was utilised by the allied troops enabling them to move around under the city of Arras. Many new tunnels were dug by the New Zealand army.

We had our lunch outside in the sun and then travelled to Lochnagar Crater, which was the site of the initial explosion on the first day of the Somme. We moved on to the Thiepval Memorial to the fallen of the Somme. The children found the names of some family members and the names of people from Solihull and Shirley which had been provided by Miss Freeman.

As a contrast for the children we then visited the Fricourt German cemetery. This was a much more sombre affair, though no less poignant.

We finished up our tour with the Canadian memorial and restored trenches at Vimy Ridge. There was a great deal for the children to take on board, but a good opportunity for them to reflect on these historical events.

After a late dinner we enjoyed time on the beach including football and cricket.

Mr R and Team.

 

Thursday

Another beautiful sunny sky greeted us this morning as we awoke and as we were spending the day in the local vicinity we had the opportunity for a lie in. Having been dropped off in town we made our way to the market were is a beautiful covered food hall and one child sampled the typically French Sushi!? The children managed to find an assortment of souvenirs and presents which I am sure will be appreciated when they return home.

Following the market we made our way to the beach for some beach sports including cricket, football and volleyball. After a lunch on the promenade we made our way to Aqualud water park where the children had great fun on all the slides and in the wave pool. Mr Robbins especially enjoyed the 12+ Twister slide as he was the only one allowed on.

At the promenade we made an ice cream van ladies day when she was able to serve 42 people all in one go.

The day was rounded off with a game off ten pin bowling in nearby Berck sur Mer. Mr Leonard triumphed for the adults and Abdul managed to claim the crown on the last bowl for the children.

Another busy day, but all good things must come to an end and we return back home to reality in the morning.

Mr R and Team.