In the first week after half term, Year 7 & 8 embarked en masse for the annual year-group excursions to Northumberland and Lille (respectively), with the promise of adventure and friendship. Whilst Year 9 and up may have been doing end of year tests or public exams, Year 7 were literally on the beach.
These popular trips are a firm fixture in the Highgate calendar, infused with curricula inspiration, invaluable social interactions and opportunities to expand pupils’ growing sense of independence.
As two of our intrepid staff members reflected on their return:
The Year 7 Northumberland trip is loosely themed around the idea of Journey. Hadrian’s Wall, the Vindolanda settlement and Roman army museum give a sense of the Roman journey to Britain and their influence on the country; Bamburgh Castle with its fabulous wide, windswept sands (including between the toes) and views of Holy Island add an element of the spiritual journey; the boat trip round the Farne Islands bring us closer to migrating birds (puffins everywhere!); and the visit to the cinema brings – well, a chance to watch a film. Lilo and Stitch, if you were wondering.
It’s a great experience: the pupils love being away with their friends, making memories and eating industrial quantities of Haribo. The No Phones rule leaves space for Uno and other games (great) and, dare I say it, conversation (yes, really). That does all make the most literal part of the journey, on the coach and the train, rather noisier than when they are plugged in, but we’ll take that any day of the week. Fellow train passengers were remarkably sympathetic!
One personal highlight to end on. At the Roman army museum there’s a small cinema. After a showing of the short film, a member of the public approached me.
“Are you a teacher with the school?”
“Yes.” [Heart sinking.]
“Which school?”
“Highgate.” [Having considered lying.]
“Well, I was just in the film…”
“Yes?” [Most apologetic expression firmly in place.]
“And the two boys in front of me couldn’t have been politer. They checked that I could see and listened well throughout.”
“PRAISE BE! Wait, did I say that out loud?”
A lovely three days. Thanks to the children for being so enthusiastic and interested, to the staff for giving up their time and energy, and the good people of Newcastle and around for hosting us in their lovely locale.
From Sam Pullan, Year 7 Tutor and Assistant Head (Executive Operations)
Organising and then going to Lille for the 11th year with our Year 8s reminded me how lovely this trip is in so many ways. Once again, we had so much fun! The quest for the best bakery allows yummy breaks in the carousel of visits of museums and monuments. There is something adorable in watching the pupils become expert judges of what makes a good croissant, a perfect baguette and at the same time not being able to resist and coming out of the bakery with an extra pain au chocolat, a quiche and even chouquettes. One pupil in my group wanted to buy “cinq” chouquettes but the baker understood “cent” which created a moment of frenzy in the bakery!
This year, I especially enjoyed seeing our pupils so engaged in museums, asking questions to the guide, asking us about the cathedral and being amazed by Lille’s variety of architecture, from beautiful 18th century to Art Deco to its 21st-century modern buildings.
The highlight for us teachers and the pupils remains the enquête, when the pupils realise upon asking questions to a passer-by, that they are both understood by the French people, and that they understand what they are being told! My group was so happy when they managed to “charm” a group of 17-year-old French youngsters and started exchanging appreciations for best football players or singers.
As some parents commented in their thank you emails: it might be a feat taking a whole year group, but it is well worth it.
From Barbara Pettitt, Teacher of French and Head of Southgate
