Fifty Year 10 students and five staff members set out from London Stansted airport on Friday 17 May 2019, to embark on a long weekend away in the beautiful Polish city of Krakow.

After a long day of travelling, we arrived at our hotel in the early evening and set about navigating our way to a local supermarket to stock up on supplies for the next day. Our wanderings took us around the Old Town; a stunning part of the city filled with interesting history. There was little time unfortunately to take much of it in at that time, but the students had some free time to explore the area the next day.

The next morning was an eye watering early start as we made our way to the ex-death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. Students spent the time there listening to an informative guide who led us around the camp, telling us of the horrors that took place there. Students were quietly reflective during this time and we observed a minute’s silence at the memorial. It is almost impossible to truly understand what humans were put through at Auschwitz, but the students fully appreciated the need to remember the victims. Just as importantly, we discussed the events which led up to the formation of the death camps and how we should all be vigilant to ensure another such atrocity does not happen again.
After a thought-provoking experience, students were taken to the Wieliczka Salt Mine to see beautiful underground salt sculptures and even a cathedral. Some more daring students took the opportunity to lick the salty walls!

Although an emotional visit, students reported that it was such a worthwhile experience and one that would not leave them. We would like to thank all of the Year 10 students who came with us for their exemplary behaviour – they really did Notley proud.

Miss K White
Teacher - PER