Caedmon College 10-15 February 2020
Aims of the Battlefields Experience • To support the GCSE Conflict & Tension unit. • To visit the scenes of battle to understand the experience of the soldiers. • To reflect, to remember and develop students’ outlook and attitude to conflict.
The Tour Company • Mercat Tours International. • Award winning Edinburgh company established in 1985. • Led by a History teacher of 20 years and made up of graduate historians as guides. • The company provides an ‘experience’ rather than a simple trip.
Staff : 2 nd Battalion Michael Cutler Jen Taylor Faye Coaten Mark Blackwell Gail Mackle Joe Daley
Sunday Night Students need to pack three separate bags: 1. An overnight bag for the coach/ferry and the following day. (You WILL NOT be able to access your main case until we arrive at the hotel on Tues eve.) 2. A case with clothes for the rest of the week. 3. Wellies in a marked/named bag (strong carrier/ bag for life).
Monday Morning • Students will not be in uniform and will drop bags in the iCollege (opposite reception) when they arrive in school. • Students will go to lessons 1-3 but will leave lesson 3 early at 12.00. Bring equipment for those lessons. • We will collect our bags and walk to Whitby Sixth Form where we will have lunch in the café area. • At 1.00pm we will start to board the bus. • Parents are welcome to attend to wave the Pals Battalion off between 1.00-1.30pm.
The Experience • This is an experience, not a school trip. • As soon as we board the coach the experience will begin. • The coach is a mobile history classroom for the whole trip. • Prepare to get involved!
The Journey • On boarding the ferry students will drop bags in their cabin. They are sharing these in groups of 3 or 4. • We will have a briefing with the guides about the following day followed by an all you can eat buffet. • Free time will then be given until approx 9.00pm. • Students WILL NOT be allowed on deck on the ferry. • Once students have been told a time to be in their cabins security will be informed and corridors will be monitored by CCTV until morning.
Where Are We Going?
Where Are We Going?
Where Are We Staying? Peace Village - Messines N.B. The hotel DOES have Wifi and you WILL be given the code. Breath.
Rooms • Bedding provided, but not towels/toiletries • Rooms are en-suite
Meals • All meals provided. • Dietary requirements catered for with advance notice. • (unfortunately ‘fussy’ is not a dietary requirement …..!).
Evening Meals From the Peace Village Website: Some of our chefs regular warm meal options include soup of the day with: • Spaghetti Bolognese • Pork roast with potato croquettes and string beans • Burger with baked potatoes, peas and carrots • Chicken curry with rice & pineapple • Meatballs in tomato sauce and mashed potatoes • Flemish beef stew with chips and salad bar • Macaroni & ham with cheese sauce • Half a chicken with chips and salad bar • Chicken stew with chips and salad bar • Sausage with mashed potatoes and applesauce • Turkey skewer with rice, sweet sauce and salad bar • Fish sticks, mashed potatoes and salad bar • Chicken wing, croquettes, peach and salad bar • Ardennes pork roast with baked potatoes and salad bar
Safety • The safety of students is priority. • All guides are approved to work with young people by the appropriate disclosure process. • Completed risk assessments are available relating to the trip and all sites visited. These have been checked and approved by the school and County. • All accommodation is inspected personally by company personnel. • Coaches are subject to statutory transport safety checks. • Students will wear seatbelts on the coach. • A group safety briefing will be provided before embarkation to the ferry.
Student Conduct • Behaviour is expected to be exemplary at all times. All instructions must be followed precisely. • Any failure to follow instructions may result in students being required to stay with teaching staff during free time. • Free time is given on the ferry and in the evenings within the bounds of the hostel. Students will be required to show utmost respect and consideration to all other travellers and guests at all times. • Students will be required to adhere to strict curfew times as given by staff. • During free time in Ypres and Bruges students will be expected to stay in groups of at least three. • Mobile phone contact numbers for staff will be provided in case of emergency.
Well Being • This is an emotional experience. It is likely you will cry at least once during the week. This is ok. (I cry every time, and I know what’s coming!) • Your emotions will be heightened by being away from home and out of your comfort zone. • You can’t get away from each other! This is great, but you need to look after each other. • Lack of sleep will make it more difficult to cope and will negatively impact on your experience. • You will be visiting graves and also sites of mass killing. This may bring up feelings of personal losses you have experienced. This is ok. • You are likely to find yourself thinking about life – and death – in a different way and it may be hard to process. This is ok. • Be kind. Always.
Our Battlefields Itinerary The Ypres South Salient Messines, Christmas truce memorial, Pool of Peace, Sanctuary Wood, Hooge Museum, Menin Road, Hill 60, Black Watch Corner. The Somme: France Newfoundland Park, Thiepval, Ulster Tower, Dartmoor Cemetery, Lochnagar Crater, Vimy Ridge. Ypres North Essex Farm, Poelkappelle, Passchendaele, Tyne Cot, Langemark, Menin Gate Ceremony. Bruges There will also be evening sessions led by the guides where students will complete a reflective journal.
Visits to relatives graves • The company can make detours to visit a relatives grave if requested and a public or private memorial will take place. • If you wish to visit a specific grave, please see a member of staff after the meeting.
Money This trip has already cost enough! All entrance fees and meals have been included in the cost, so technically no money is required. However, there are opportunities to spend money: • Ferry (overpriced tat). • Hooge Crater Museum (anything from postcards to actual bayonets dug up nearby). • Hotel – vending machines? Pool? • Thiepval memorial (books, tea towels, posters, postcards, key rings). • Ypres (chocolate shop and souvenirs). • Bruges (free time on Friday – approx. 2 hours). Cultural cafes/McDonalds & chocolate shops. • Any money will have to be taken as Euros. You can change money on the ferry if need be.
Our return We are arriving back in Hull at 9.00am on Saturday 15 and will then travel back to Whitby. This should take around 2 hours 30 minutes. Therefore expect us by about mid-day. Students will be asked to phone you as we get nearer to confirm a more precise time. We will arrive at Whitby Sixth Form site. Please park in a way that ensures the coaches can access the coach park.
Finally • Please ensure you have provided us with the following: • Passport. • EHIC card. • Medical consent form . • Please also speak to a member of staff if you feel there is an issue we need to be aware of.
Follow us! • We will resurrect the twitter account: @CCW_History. • Follow for regular updates and photos of the Pals in action!
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