Paris 2017
46 Year 9 students and the experienced crew of Mr Patchesa, Mrs Lewis, Mr Martin, Mrs Hall and new recruit Mrs Whattam enjoyed a fantastic week in Paris. After an early start and tiring journey down to the outskirts of Paris, made slightly longer by awful traffic, we were up bright and early on the Tuesday of Activities week to clamber the many steps up the Eiffel Tower. Mrs Whattam and the students took advantage of the fantastic photo opportunities, before a quick coach ride took us to the beautiful Montmontre area and the Basilica Sacre Coeur. The staff took a well earned sit down as the students explored the artists’ quarter in the Place de Tetre, sampling local delicacies, buying berets and, in a few cases, getting portraits sketched. From here to the Bateaux Mouche, a relaxing and informative boat ride in the gorgeous sunshine admiring the cultural and historic sights along the river Seine. A busy day concluded with a meal near to the Avenue Champs Elysee and the Arc de Triomphe before we returned home for a much needed rest.
Day 3 saw us visit the Disney Studios Park, enjoying the thrills of the Rock’n’Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror amongst many other attractions with a movie theme. The students, whose behaviour and attitude was superb throughout showed admirable stamina and stomachs with some reaching double figures for rides on the twisting, turning, looping Aerosmith soundtracked ‘coaster, but still had plenty of appetite left for the following day’s visit to the Disneyland Park.
The weather, which had been hot over the previous two days, got a little angry on Thursday, greeting us to Disneyland Park with some spectacular lightning and a downpour. Luckily, forcing the students to unpack coats from suitcases seemed to have the desired effect and sun and warmth rapidly returned. The students mingled with Mickey, Donald and co. and experienced rides such as the revamped Hyperspace Mountain, an Indiana Jones themed rollercoaster and many others. It was a late one, with us stopping for the fantastic show of fireworks, which, on the 25th Anniversary of the Park was more spectacular than ever, before returning to the coach, laden with stuffed toys and sporting Minnie Mouse ears, for the journey home. Tom, our amazing driver, managed to get us onto an earlier ferry, so we were back in Selby for 11am. Learning from experience, we asked the students to pack spare socks, meaning that while we were sad that a terrific week was over, at least our nostrils didn’t return filled with the cheesy stench that had haunted us last year. The students were all amazing, which led to a thoroughly enjoyable time for all!
