Year 8 Ypres Visit 2023

Our year 8s made the long journey to Ypres in Belgium at the end of June. They were visiting sites relating to the First World War as well as enjoying some of the local culture, including a visit to a shop that specialises in high-quality chocolate!

The students visited:

• the so-called Trench of Death, an actual trench used in the First World War
• the town of Ypres itself
• the Menin Gate, a war memorial dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed fighting in the local area (‘the Ypres salient’) and whose graves are unknown
• Tyne Cot cemetery, the largest Commonwealth burial site in the world, with over 11,000 soldiers buried there

The students took part in a short service of remembrance at the cemetery, which included some thoughts about the importance of visiting sites, and how we have a duty to share what we have seen with others so that the sacrifices of the past are never forgotten.

Rocco delivered a reading, in which all students promised to remember soldiers and others who have lost their lives in war, and George W laid a wreath on behalf of the school.

You can read much more about the Ypres trip – and view lots more photos – in Issue 31 (July 2023) of Ridgeway New Times.