In the first week of the Easter holidays, Mr Carr, Mr Mayerle, Mrs Connor and Miss Starling took 38 pupils (from Year 8 to the Lower Sixth) to the German capital on Plymouth College's largest ever German Department trip. It was a true pleasure to take such an interested and enthusiastic group, especially considering the majority of pupils only began learning German in September 2013.
The mornings were spent in intense language lessons given by native German teachers, with the afternoons providing time to explore Berlin. The group were expertly guided around Berlin by Mr Mayerle (who celebrated his birthday on the trip and had the honour of the Year 8 girls singing a German birthday song for him). They visited the main tourist sites of Berlin, including the TV tower and the Bundestag building. They explored the city's rich and varied history by visiting the Checkpoint Charlie museum, the Brandenburg gate and The Story of Berlin (where they got to visit a former nuclear bunker and saw a lime green iconic Trabi car).
The most poignant moment of the trip was a visit to House of the Wansee Conference. This was especially useful for students studying GCSE History, as well as the Year 9 pupils. There was time for shopping and a visit to the Ku'Damm was a highlight for all. Special thanks must also go to Mr Mayerle's mum, who joined the trip. Her kindness and assistance were much appreciated.
The main purpose of the trip was immersion in German culture. The pupils truly did do this, with numerous Currywurst being eaten and the concept of recycling and Pfandflaschen were especially embraced by our pupils (with one Year 8 boy being particularly enamoured)!
Bis 2016 in Köln, Hamburg or Frankfurt?!
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "Smeaton’s Tower ‘lights up’ Year 2 Hoe and Barbican visit")
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "Year 10 have a French cultural experience")
