Before dawn on Friday, 2nd November 47 Year 7 and Year 8 students and five teachers departed Kingsbury on a coach bound for Lille in north-east France. A short spell on the Eurotunnel and – hey presto! – we were in France.
First stop: the enormous beach at Petit Fort Philippe near Dunkirk. The tide was out so everyone enjoyed running around and some even made it down to the sea. Then on to the Lille Christmas Market, offering local food and drink, crafts and other gift items. Several stallholders, upon discovering we were teachers, said that they thought our children were very polite and well behaved. They said that most students had made an effort to speak French and they were very impressed. Kingsbury parents and teachers should be very proud! After we had filled ourselves with potatoes and cheese or other delicious hot food, it was time to re-join the coach for the trip to the Château d’Ebblinghem where we stayed. We had the whole place to ourselves and found it very comfortable.
Up early in the morning for a walk through Boulogne-sur-Mer and a really enjoyable few hours in the Nausicaa Marine Centre, a magical place with lots to see, including the sea lions racing about in the water at feeding time.
Many of the students said they would like to have stayed longer in France, but two days was all we had so we made our way back to Calais for the Eurotunnel home.
A fantastic trip, immaculately organised by Steve Vadgama. Student behaviour was excellent; the students were patient when waiting, good-natured with changes and generally fun and agreeable. See you again next year we hope!
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