Rheinland Round-Up
A Rheinland adventure for Year 9 and 10 pupils studying German at GCSE level
From July 14th to 17th, 2024, 49 Year 9 and 10 pupils embarked on an exciting journey through the Rhineland, accompanied by Miss Mizon, Mrs. Keighley, Mrs. Taylor, Mr. Earl, and Mr. Taylor. Here’s what they had to say about their memorable trip:
Pritiga – Forty-nine Year 9’s and 10’s went on a 4 day class trip to Rhineland in Germany from 14th-17th July. After a long journey to Germany, we arrived in the city of Cologne and stayed in a really nice hostel. We had a wonderful time doing the many activities that were prepared for us. First, we went to the beautiful Marksburg Castle in Braubach and had a guided tour around it, learning about the history of the castle. We also took a cable car above the Rhine River in Koblenz – we got a great view of the surroundings! In the evening, we played a competitive game of bowling, followed by a delicious meal of cheeseburger and chips. The next day we woke up bright and early and headed to Phantasialand – a theme park centred around different areas of the world. From Africa’s Black Mamba Roller Coaster to ChinaTown’s Feng Ju Palace there were plenty of different rides for everyone – even water rides, on which we got soaked! Then we went to the Lindt Chocolate Museum and learned about the process of chocolate making, and also ate a lot of chocolate! Finally we headed to Schildergasse (one of Germany’s busiest shopping streets) and had a look around the many shops it had to offer. After a long journey by coach (on which we watched The Parent Trap and Mamma Mia and also listened to Miss Mizon’s Radio Station!) and the ferry, we arrived back home safe and sound. Thank you to all the teachers who put in hard work to plan this amazing trip and our wonderful coach driver who, despite some traffic problems, was able to deliver us a fantastic journey!
Student Reflections
Sally: “Thank you to all the teachers who made this amazing trip happen for us.”
Narin: “The trip was so much fun, and we really appreciate all the hard work the teachers put into planning it.”
Alessia: “Our trip to the Rhineland was fantastic!”
Rosa: “Phantasialand was a highlight for me—it had so many rides that I enjoyed, although I regretted going on the water rides afterward! The beautiful Marksburg Castle was fascinating, with stunning views across the Rhine. The Lindt Chocolate Factory was also interesting, and we definitely made the most of the free samples! I had an amazing time in the Rheinland!”
Grace: “Germany was an unforgettable experience! Phantasialand and the Koblenz Cable Cars near Deutsches Eck were my favorites. I’ll always remember how our coach had to reverse into a tree on a narrow road, but thankfully, everyone was okay. Beyond the activities, I loved spending time with my friends and meeting new people. I’m grateful to everyone who worked hard to make this trip possible.”
Em: “The trip went by so fast because I was having so much fun! The views from Marksburg Castle were unforgettable, and I learned quite a bit about ancient torture methods. I even ordered ice cream in German! I created a German-speaking bingo card with prompts and completed them all! Thank you to the staff for making this a truly special memory.”
Jiya: “The visit to the Lindt Chocolate Museum was a favorite of mine. I loved learning about the history of chocolate and watching chocolate bars being made. I appreciate how the teachers genuinely tried their best to make this trip enjoyable for each of us. A huge thanks to Miss Mizon and Mr. Taylor for their efforts in sharing tips and reminders on Google Classroom, leading informative assemblies, and organizing this successful trip!”
Overall, the German trip was a resounding success, providing a fun enrichment opportunity that beautifully complemented the students’ classroom learning about the German language and culture!
