Second Year pupils experienced the history, culture and culinary delights of France and Paris during an eventful half term trip led by Mrs Baines, with Mr and Mrs Shephard, Miss Clarke and Mrs Peel. Mrs Baines wrote the following report:  

Paris trip 2018

After a 00:15 start from Pocklington School, our group of 43 children and five teachers headed straight through the Channel Tunnel to Vimy Ridge, south east of Calais, where we visited the World War One Canadian war memorial and trenches. After a picnic lunch we travelled to our accommodation at the Château de Grande Romaine, 13 miles to the south of Paris. Thunder and lightning lit up the Parisian night sky that evening, but fortunately sunny weather dominated the rest of our stay.

On Tuesday morning we visited the small market town of Brie-Comte-Robert, where the award-winning baguettes from the local boulangerie proved very popular with the students. Next stop was the manicured grounds and grand interiors of the Château Vaux-le-Vicomte, which inspired the Palace of Versailles. Pupils enjoyed an evening swimming session at our own Château before a crêpe-making activity in which the chocolate sauce topping proved very popular!

Wednesday’s visit to Parc Astérix delivered an unusually abundant quantity of large soft toys in addition to the many rides and theatre and dolphin shows. Back at the Château, students tried an escargot or deux as an hors d’oeuvre to the evening meal before a second swimming session and PGL activity.

Our full day in Paris began with breath-taking 360-degree views of Paris from the 210m (689ft) Montparnasse Tower. We could spot many of the capital’s famous landmarks, which we were able to visit later in the day. A sunny picnic under the Eiffel Tower was followed by a cruise down the River Seine; passing the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the Musée d’Orsay is

always a memorable highlight of the trip.

Arriving at Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre after a trip around the Arc de Triomphe allowed us time in the afternoon to get a caricature portrait, crêpe or glacé whilst relaxing in the Parisian sunshine.

The pupils behaved excellently, and I am exceedingly grateful to the teaching staff of Mr and Mrs Shephard, Miss Clarke and Mrs Peel, who were outstanding in their care and support during a very successful trip.

Mrs Baines: Trip Leader and Subject Leader of French

Please click here to view a flickr photo album from the trip.