Year 6 French Trip
Our Year 6 pupils had an unforgettable experience on their recent trip to France, staying at the beautiful Château du Broutel in Normandy.
We began our journey early on the morning of Monday 27th April, with lots of excited children and plenty of parents there to wave us off. After travelling by coach and boarding the Channel Tunnel train, we soon arrived in France, followed by a scenic hour-and-a-half drive to the château. Once there, the children had a quick orientation, unpacked into their rooms, and settled in. After a delicious evening meal, they took part in a fun scavenger hunt, which was the perfect way to end a busy first day.
Day 2 was packed with memorable experiences, starting with a visit to a very popular goat farm. The children had the chance to meet, feed, milk and even cuddle lots of goats, as well as making friends with some incredibly friendly cats and a lovely pig! They also learned all about the process of making cheese, and even got to taste some, which was a definite highlight for many. In the afternoon, we visited the beautiful and peaceful floating gardens of Amiens, before returning to the château for dinner and a relaxing walk around the nearby town of Rue.
On Wednesday, the focus shifted to history as we explored the battlefields of the Somme. This was an incredibly powerful and enlightening experience. The children visited underground bunkers, memorials, trenches and even the huge Lochnagar crater, gaining a deeper understanding of World War I. A particularly moving moment came when we found the burial site of one of our student’s great, great, great uncles, who had fought so bravely and was lost on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. After such a meaningful day, we returned to the château for dinner, followed by an evening of volleyball and the traditional French game of pétanque.
Thursday was our action-packed day, which began with over half the children choosing to join Mr Armitage for a French edition of Running Club, exploring the chateau grounds and nearby area! In the morning, the children took on the challenges of a high ropes course in the woods, showing great courage, determination and teamwork. After that, we visited a traditional home-made sweet shop, which was, unsurprisingly, very popular! The afternoon was spent enjoying the sunshine at the beach, where we even spotted some seals. Back at the château, the day ended perfectly with a campfire, providing a chance to relax, reflect and share stories from the trip.
Friday, our final day, involved packing up and beginning the journey home. However, we still managed one last unique experience, a visit to a snail farm! The children bravely held (and some even tasted) this famous French delicacy (not the same snails, of course!). We then made our way back through the Channel Tunnel and returned home, tired but full of fantastic memories.
Overall, it was an incredible trip, full of learning, adventure and fun. The children were a credit to the school throughout, and it is safe to say that this is a trip they will remember for many years to come.
