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| 5 Mar 2026 | |
| School Trips |
Over February half term, a group of Year 11, 12 and 13 students travelled to the Netherlands for four days of cultural exploration and geographical study. The journey began with a long coach ride through four countries before making it to Utrecht, where students were immediately introduced to the country's famous cycling culture. Their walk through the town included a visit to a stunning cathedral, which prompted reflections on the school’s Sacred Heart values and an acapella rendition of Shackles.
The following morning, the group visited the Clara Maria Cheese and Clog Farm in Amstelveen. Here, students learnt about the history and craftsmanship of traditional Dutch clogs, and with guidance from their host, Carla B (Y11) successfully handcrafted one using traditional methods. The students also explored the cheese‑making process and sampled a selection of locally produced Gouda, a win for the lactose‑intolerant members of the group, since mature Gouda is virtually lactose‑free!
In the afternoon, the group made their way to Amsterdam and soaked in the sun during a guided walking tour beginning in Dam Square. The tour covered key sites including the UNESCO Canal Belt and the Jewish Quarter, and even an impromptu sighting of a Dutch princess! The day concluded with a canal cruise, which offered a unique perspective of the architecture of the famous city's waterways.
The third day took students to the Keringhuis storm surge barrier, a significant feature of Dutch flood‑defence engineering. They then travelled onto Rotterdam, where they enjoyed some shopping before embarking on a harbour tour, made especially memorable by some heavy snowfall as they departed the boat.
On the final day, the group visited Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its 19 traditional windmills. Students were able to tour the inside of one of the working windmills and understand how these historic structures supported local communities. The final stop on their Netherlands tour were the coastal dunes at Noordwijk, a former fishing village now seaside town, with a long walk along the beach offering a reflective and refreshing end to a busy trip.
If you’d like to read a first‑hand account from Year 11 students Carla B. and Lavinia A., you won't have to wait long! Their full write‑up will be featured in our end‑of‑term newsletter.
