Primary 7 Amsterdam Trip – Day 4
It was our last day in Amsterdam and we had so much fun that we didn’t want to leave. We started off by getting on the coach to Zaanse Schans where we got to go up a very tall windmill which was making pigment for paint. We had to climb up very steep stairs to get to the top of the windmill. When we were walking up, we passed lots of machines that were crushing the pigments. We got to the top of the windmill, it was so high up that some people were scared. After that we went to a cheese shop and got to look at how cheese is made.
Once we had our lunch, we got back on the coach and drove to Volendam which is a little village that has a small beach and lots of street shops. Some of us went to the shops but most of the class went to paddle in the water. Most of the shops were souvenir shops and some people bought souvenirs for their family. When we were on the beach we found out that there was a Jewish school from Paris sitting next to us! Soon after we got back on the coach and drove to the airport.
At the airport we checked our bags in and went through security. We had lots of time to spare after security. After shopping around, we went to the gate for boarding. Whilst we were waiting to board, most of us played a game called Stop The Bus (Flora won!). Soon after we boarded the plane and we were all so exhausted from the great week!
Overall, we had so much fun in Amsterdam and we would love to go back again.
By Jenna, Ksenia and Zipporah
Primary 7 Amterdam Trip – Day 3
We started the day by heading off to the Portuguese synagogue, which is the oldest synagogue in Europe!
When we got there we entered the main hall and sat down to sing our morning prayers. After that Mrs Yedd gave us the chance to say our own prayers no matter what language we speak or faith we are.
Once we had all finished prayers we started the audio guide and those who had cameras took photos! There were three areas that we went into; the main hall, the ladies gallery, and the underground treasure archives! In the main hall there were massive copper chandeliers, wooden prayer benches and golden candlesticks. Altogether it was very glamorous!
In the Ladies gallery there were tall green gates to stop people from falling down to the lower level. There were also majestic wooden benches! The reason they still have so much treasure is because they were able to hide it in the rafters of the attic of the synagogue before the Nazis could raid the shul for expensive items!
Once we had explored the synagogue to its full, we headed across the road to the Jewish Historical Museum and Jewish Children’s Museum. Inside there were two sections: the hands-on area with games and toys to do with Jewish history, then the other half which was full of exhibits.
In the hands-on area the class got split in half so one half could go to make matzah while the other group had time to explore! In the other area we got to look at REAL old Jewish stuff! It was all very glamorous and hand made.
Then we went to a near-by play park for our lunch. For our lunch we had 2 cheese rolls, a banana, current buns & a bottle of water. Once we had all wolfed down our lunch we ran over to the play area! Some of us were digging/ building sand castles in the sand pit. Others were swinging on the swings while others climbed on the play frame. Once we had used up practically all our energy the teachers decided that we should move to our next destination.
We hopped onto the metro to get to the Holocaust Memorial Museum! The museum was extremely emotional for us as a class, and even more so for those who were related to people who suffered directly during this time.
There were rooms filled to the brim with pictures, possessions and memories of children who were murdered in concentration camps. In the next room there were paintings describing people’s emotions from first hand accounts of suffering during World War 2.
When we got back to the hotel we had some time to chat and play pool. For our last dinner in Amsterdam we had PIZZA and ICE TEA and vegetables. For pudding we had applesauce and grapes!
We have had a great experience in Amsterdam and can’t wait for the day ahead tomorrow.
Written by Flora, Zidane & Sophia
Primary 7 Amsterdam Trip – Day 2
Today was our second day in Amsterdam. We started off by getting the bus into Amsterdam city centre. When we got there we got our tickets and went on a canal cruise that took us around Amsterdam.
We saw a lot of different sites like, Silly John the clock tower (it is named that because the bell rings at random times and the locals nicknamed it Silly John.) After that we went to some souvenir shops. Then we had lunch at Dam Square.
After our delicious meal we headed towards the Anne Frank house. When we went in, a lady talked a bit about the family and the war.
After about half an hour we went into the actual house! It was an incredible sight and was truly amazing to see where Anne Frank and her family lived, and the conditions that they endured.
In the house we found different quotes on the walls that all of the family had said at some point in their life. At one point it had the marks on the wall of Anne’s height through out her life in the annexe. It also showed us who slept in each room and what each room would have looked like at that time.
Then we went to a shopping centre before Madame Toussades.
In Madame Tussauds we saw a lot of different celebrities like, Marilyn Monroe, Lionel Messi, Taylor Swift and many, many more.
Overall it was a very exciting day and we all had lots of fun.
We can’t wait for tomorrow!
By Ava, Jenna, Louis and Jamie
Primary 7 Amsterdam Trip – Day 1
On the 14th May, Primary 7 arrived at the airport at 4.00am and checked in their bags for Amsterdam. We boarded the plane at 6.05am and arrived in Amsterdam at 9.00am (local time). We got off the plane and went on to the coach to our hotel, but some of the rooms weren’t ready yet so we put all of our luggage in one of our rooms.
After that, we ventured out into the city of Amsterdam by bus and metro. We stopped for lunch at a kosher pizza place in the Jewish district. The pizza was delicious (tomato and cheese)! When we all finished our yummy pizza, we walked to a park, it was absolutely boiling. We stayed there for 2hours and were all dreading the journey back to the hotel.
On the journey to the hotel, our original metro got cancelled so we got transferred to a different Metro. Once we arrived back at the hotel, we all got changed and showered before dinner.
An hour later, we all got our delicious pasta bolognese for dinner. Soon after we finished our dinner, we got a bit of free time to explore the hotel before we went to bed.
Primary 7 have enjoyed their first day in Amsterdam and are looking forward to the rest of the week.
By, Daniel, Ksenia, Zak and Zipporah
