Arriving at school at 1.00am for an early flight to Krakow, Poland had me initially fearful – what if they bus didn’t show? What if it broke down on the way to the airport? What if the pupils were late and school was closed? But all of our worries came to nothing as when we pulled up our bus was already waiting for us along with every pupil eager to board and embark on their adventure. Although an early start we arrived, dropped our luggage and headed straight to a tour of the Jewish Quarter. Equity had organised a walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto/Kazimierz district with Entrance to the Remuh Cemetery and Synagogue. We learned a lot and it was a great experience as it meant we were not waiting around to check-in to our hotel. After our tour we stopped for lunch in the Jewish District (which was where our hotel was conveniently located) before heading back to the hotel to unpack and settle in. We chose to organise our own meals in Poland and Equity were happy for us to do so which was a great bonus.  We had dinner in a Mexican restaurant, Manzana, before lights out.

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Day Two

We woke to a beautiful buffet breakfast in our hotel with a wide array of options. We were then collected by a tour guide and our driver who drove us to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. As we approached the town of Oswiecim a feeling of quiet came upon us.  We were nervous and apprehensive about both our own reactions to the experience of Auschwitz but that of our pupils. When we arrived we were met by a tour guide who sensitively and informatively provided a private tour of the camp.  We left feeling sombre yet grateful that we could experience such a trip and experience as it means that the memory of all those who perished can live on to ensure it never happens again.

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That evening we went to the Christmas Markets in Krakow Old Square where we ate pierogis, bratwursts and sweet treats while we reflected on the day that we had had.

Day Three

We woke early, to another great breakfast, before our collection by our guide and tour bus who took us to the town of Wieliczka to visit the world UNESCO Salt Mines. We were met by our guide (who the pupils were convinced was a vampire who lived in the mines) who was funny, charismatic and knowledgeable. He escorted us deep into the mines and we were able to see the beautiful structures and architecture surrounding us all made of salt. He informed us that we could lick the walls and the floors if we wanted but he was yet to have a group who had done so – of course our pupils then proceeded to lick the floor much to his delight. When we asked the pupils to reflect on their trip many picked the mines as their favourite excursion. 

Day Four

We were collected and went on a short walking tour of what was previously the Jewish Ghetto. We had been walking the streets for days and didn’t realise how steeped in history our entire surrounding area was.  We then went on a tour of Schindler’s Factory which was interactive and enjoyed very much so by the pupils. We then went to the Galicia Museum not far from Schindler’s Factory. In the afternoon we had free time, a chance to visit the Kazimierz Mall and spend the rest of the money that was burning holes in many of their pockets by this point. For our last meal together in Poland we went to The Hard Rock Café before finishing off with a final trip to the Christmas Markets.

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Day Five

The school holidays had official started back home and it was time for us to head to the airport.  We were picked up promptly by our driver Tomas who had been with us for five days.

We left Krakow with memories that will last a lifetime. We experienced a wealth of activities that allowed us to experience History and Literature first-hand.  But a school trip is not just about the educational aspects, it is the memories that only you as a group understand. For us it was walking into posts, playing pretend skipping ropes with the locals, trying new foods (Mexican!) and listening to the story of the black lady. School trips are an immersive experience that are not just about the planned excursions, it is also about all of the moments in-between.

On our final bus journey home the pupils were already asking where are we going next?

Mrs Wilson, Principal Teacher of English