Trip to Amsterdam

Over half term, students enjoyed a fantastic four-day trip to Amsterdam packed with culture, Science, History and plenty of memorable experiences.

After an early start on Monday morning, we travelled by ferry before making the journey to Amsterdam. Following dinner, everyone enjoyed some time in Vondelpark, where Harry Styles had reportedly been spotted earlier signing autographs! We walked through to the Museumplein, where there was a festival featuring a DJ set and a Ferris wheel offering great views of the park and the Rijksmuseum.

On Tuesday, we begun with a visit to ARTIS Zoo and Planetarium where students watched a presentation on habitats, food chains and how we all depend on the sun and maintaining the balance for our survival. We then had time to explore the zoo and were lucky enough to see the baby elephants enjoying a cooling mud bath and the older elephants going for a swim. There were sloths, meerkats, otters, and giraffes as well as a butterfly house and many other creatures to observe. We then visited the Anne Frank House. Students learned about the circumstances that led to the Frank family going into hiding and the terrible consequences of their discovery. This provided a powerful and thought-provoking insight into history. We then walked to the Museum of the Canals, which explored the history of Amsterdam, followed by a scenic canal cruise through the city. The day ended with a delicious fondue meal at a local restaurant.

On Wednesday, students visited the interactive NEMO Science Museum before heading to Dam Square for lunch and souvenir shopping, with many students sampling traditional Dutch stroopwafels for the first time.

Other highlights included visits to Tony’s Chocolonely Store and the fascinating Body Worlds Museum. Many students also bravely took on the famous swing at the A’DAM Lookout enjoying incredible views across Amsterdam.

Before beginning the journey home on Thursday, we stopped at the Johan Cruijff Arena, home of Ajax Football Club, for photos and final memories of the trip. After a smooth return journey and ferry crossing, everyone arrived safely back at school tired but full of stories. The trip was an excellent opportunity for students to develop independence, experience a different culture, and create lasting friendships and memories.