Paris 2018

Forty-six Year 9 students and the experienced crew of Mr Patchesa, Mrs Lewis, Mr Martin, Mrs Whattam and new recruit Miss Levitt enjoyed a fantastic week in Paris. After an early start and tiring journey down to the outskirts of Paris, made slightly longer by awful traffic, we were up bright and early on the Tuesday of Activities week to clamber the many steps up the Eiffel Tower, before a quick coach ride took us to the beautiful Montmontre area and the Basilica Sacre Coeur. The staff took a well earned sit down as the students explored the artists’ quarter in the Place de Tetre, with some buying England flags and engaging with some friendly banter with Colombia fans ahead of the night’s big game. From here to the Bateaux Mouche, a relaxing and informative boat ride in the gorgeous sunshine admiring the cultural and historic sights along the river Seine. A busy day concluded with a meal near to the Avenue Champs Elysee and the Arc de Triomphe before we returned home for a much needed rest.

Day 3 saw us visit the Disney Studios Park, enjoying the thrills of the Rock’n’Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror amongst many other attractions with a movie theme. The students, whose behaviour and attitude was superb throughout showed admirable stamina and stomachs with some reaching double figures for rides on the twisting, turning, looping Aerosmith soundtracked ‘coaster, but still had plenty of appetite left for the following day’s visit to the Disneyland Park.

The weather, which had been blazing hot over the previous two days, decided to behave itself until about teatime, when for the second year running a refreshing downpour failed to drown our enthusiasm at Disneyland Park. A great time was had for all, with us stopping for the fantastic show of fireworks before the long and tiring journey back. Clean socks and a record low number of visits to the on-coach toilet meant that the trip back was pleasantly aromatic, and a stirring speech of thanks from Sarah Ridley to the coach and staff rounded off another great trip. The students were well behaved which led to a thoroughly enjoyable time for all!