Trip to Normandy, France. 16th to 19th July 2012
At Heckmondwike Grammar School the Modern Languages Department has a long established record of offering a variety of foreign excursions to our pupils. Next summer, in conjunction with the History Department, we are proposing to take a trip to Normandy to sample the culture and history of the region.
Short visits aboard have always proved popular with our pupils as they provide the opportunity to put language skills acquired at school to good use in real life situations and offer pupils the chance to experience a different culture. The trip will also give students a fascinating insight into the D-Day landings and their part in the Second World War.
Our provisional itinerary is as follows.
Monday 16th July
Depart school at midnight and drive to Dover.
Ferry crossing to Calais 06.30.
Arrive and book into hotel early afternoon
Visit to the Fromagerie (Cheese Factory)
Tuesday 17th July
Tour of the D-Day Landing beaches
Visit to the Mulberry Harbour and 360 degree cinema
at Arromanches
Omaha Beach and cemetery
Pegasus Bridge
Sainte Mère Eglise
Visit to the Croissanterie
Wednesday 18th July
Visit to the Peace museum at Caen
The Bayeux Tapestry
Visit to the Chocolaterie en route home
Return overnight to England
Check in at ferry terminal 22.00
Thursday 19th July
Arrival back at school 7.00
The cost of the trip will be £350. This includes
· All travel from school to our hotel and return (executive coach and ferry)
· Full board accommodation for 2 nights
· Daily local use of the coach within drivers’ hours
· All entrance fees
· Comprehensive insurance cover
· The services of an ABTA and ATOL bonded travel company
It does not include drinks with meals, meals en route or spending money.
Pupils will be expected to travel on their own passport.
You will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of £75 immediately, followed by 3 further payments before the end of April 2012. Arrangements can be made for you to pay in small instalments if you wish.
If you would like your child to be considered for a place on this visit, please complete the attached form and return with the deposit as soon as possible to Mrs Morris in the MFL Office. Places are limited to 53 but please note that we do not operate a first come first served policy.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at school if you have any queries.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs SL Morris Mr R Oxby
Modern Languages Department History Department
Year 7 MFL trips - June 2011
Full details and letters of application will soon be available - see staff for details
Albert, France - Mrs. Morris - for information for 2011 see below
Cologne, Germany - Miss Waddington - for information for 2011 see below
Barcelona, Spain - Mrs. Lawson - for information for 2011 see below
Below is a report from one of our previous excursions to give you a flavour of what lies in store!
French Trip - Albert - 2009
The journey was tiring but enjoyable because we were among friends who made it much more fun. When we arrived in France, we went to visit the old town in Boulogne that was entirely built into four castle walls. The nice thing about the old town was that you could come out of the castle walls and walk around it, which was interesting and fun. Many purchases of French berets were made. In the afternoon we visited an aquarium called Nausicaa. This was probably the thing we enjoyed the most, it had many different types of sea creatures in that you could get very close to and a touch pool that you could put your hand in!
Then we went to the hotel, in the historic village of Albert, where we had a room with a large bathroom and shower, toilet and sink. There was also a big games room for evening activities. Once we were settled into the room we went to look around the town, and in the evening we all ate together in a local restaurant. Our second day included a visit to the Somme Museum in Albert, the monument to the soldiers who died during the First World War, where we laid wreaths to remember the boys who died from our own school and a walk through some of the trenches which have been preserved. All very moving.
Our third and final day was spent at the Parc Asterix. It was hot and sunny so the water rides were especially popular as was the dolphin and sea lion show.
The French trip was great fun and we would love to go back. Not only did we get to see many wonderful things, we also got to practice our French skills and get to know other people in our year as well. For anyone interested but unsure about whether or not they should go, we would strongly recommend it, as it was a fun experience and we’re sure anyone you ask would very much agree!
Barcelona 2009
I really enjoyed the trip to Barcelona. It was great going to the Gaudi park and seeing the giant lizard sculpture! It was exhilarating going up the lift in the cathedral because we could see the cars and pedestrians below us! I enjoyed Las Ramblas, which was a street that we walked on with lots of shops. That was fun and the weather was great! Afterwards we went to a fast food restaurant and ate in the sun! We also went to a shopping complex and some of us got lost which was very funny! We saw a 3D dinosaur film, which was in Spanish, but it was still interesting, especially when Sarah fell asleep! The food was different and it was a great experience that I really enjoyed!
 
Cologne Trip 2009
Photographs from this year's visit have been added to the MFL trips/exchanges gallery.
  
At Heckmondwike Grammar School the Modern Foreign Languages Department has a long established record of offering a variety of foreign excursions to our pupils. Next summer all Year 7 pupils will have the opportunity to take part in one of 3 possible trips, either to France, Germany or Spain during the summer term, depending upon which language they are studying.
Short visits abroad have always proved popular for our younger pupils, as they provide the opportunity to put language skills acquired at school to good use in real life situations as well as providing pupils with an experience of a different culture. If pupils are to be encouraged to use a foreign language on an individual basis, they will have to be allowed some freedom to visit shops and cafes. Staff will naturally be available to help, but pupils must be fully aware of their duty to behave responsibly at all times.
Any pupils, whose behaviour undermines our confidence in their suitability, may find themselves excluded from the trip. Please emphasise this to your child.
The provisional itineraries for next summer’s trips are as follows
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France ; visit to Albert, Northern France Tuesday 21st June to Saturday 25h June 2011
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Tuesday 21st June: Depart school 22 30, drive overnight to Dover.
Wednesday 22nd June: 06 30 ferry Channel crossing.
Activities along the coast, eg, , Boulogne old town and ramparts, Chocolate factory
Late afternoon, travel to the village of Albert, hotel check-in and evening meal.
Thursday 23rd June: Sightseeing in Albert, underground tunnels and museum. Visits to Lochnagar Crater, Thiepval Memorial and Visitor Centre and trenches at Beaumont Hamel
Friday 24th June: Day in Parc Asterix (a popular French theme park)
Saturday 25th June: Leave hotel after breakfast, 11 00 Channel crossing, onward journey to school, to arrive at 19 00.
The cost of the trip will be £350. This includes
a) Return journey from school to our hotel (executive coach travel and ferry) Full board accommodation for three nights. We shall be staying at the Poppies Hotel in Albert which has been purpose built for schools
b) Daily local use of the coach within drivers’ hours
c) One day pass to Parc Asterix,
d) All entrance fees
e) Comprehensive insurance cover
f) The services of an ABTA and ATOL bonded travel company
It does not include meals en route, or spending money.
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Germany: visit to Cologne, Tuesday 21st June to Saturday 25th June 2011
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Tuesday 21st June: Depart school 6.30, drive to Cologne
Wednesday 22nd June: Sightseeing in Cologne – Cathedral and Tower, Old Town and waterfront . Shopping and free time in the afternoon.
Evening cruise along the Rhine
Thursday 23rd June: Visits to zoo. Games in the park in the evening
Friday 24th June: Visit to Phantasialand theme park (30 mins drive from Cologne) travel back to England after the park closes at 18.00
Saturday 25th June : 01.55 Channel crossing, arrive at school 08.30
The cost of the trip will be £350. This includes
a) Return journey (executive coach travel and ferry).
b) Full board accommodation for three nights.
c) Daily local use of the coach within drivers’ hours
d) All entrance fees
e) Comprehensive insurance cover
f) The services of an ABTA and ATOL bonded travel company
It does not include extra drinks with meals or spending money.
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Spain: visit to Barcelona Thursday 23rd June – Sunday 26th June 2011
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Thursday 23rd June Coach leaves school at 10.00am
Arrives at Leeds Bradford for check in
Flight for Barcelona departs at 13.50
Coach transfer to hotel, arriving at approximately 18.30 for the evening meal
Friday 24th June Full day in Barcelona visiting Barcelona Zoo, la Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, Placa de Catalunya, walk down the Rambla to Barri Gotic
Saturday 25th June visit to Mount Tibidabo, Nou Camp Football stadium – guided visit Montjuic and shopping
Sunday 26th June visit to Aquarium
Coach departs Aquarium at 11.00 for the airport
Flight departs Barcelona Airport at 14.10, arriving at Leeds Bradford Airport 15.50
Coach returns to school at 17.30
The cost of the trip will be £520. This includes
a) Return journey (executive coach travel and flights).
b) Full board accommodation for three nights.
c) Daily local use of the coach within drivers’ hours
d) All entrance fees
e) Comprehensive insurance cover
f) The services of an ABTA and ATOL bonded travel company
It does not include extra drinks with meals or spending money
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Pupils will be expected to travel on their own Passport
Please note that places are initially limited to 40 pupils for France and Germany, and 30 pupils for Spain. You will be required to pay an initial deposit immediately, followed by 2 further payments in February and May. Arrangements can be made for you to pay in instalments if you so wish. If you would like your child to be considered for a place on one of these school visits, please complete the attached form and return with the deposit as soon as possible.
Please do not hesitate to contact school if you have any queries.
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Easter Revision
