German Exchange

Mrs Donald and Mr Clarke accompanied 19 of our Year 11 and 12 students to Bielefeld in September 2023, on the return leg of the two year exchange programme. Our pupils hosted their partners in September 2022, and were keen to visit their partners in Germany.

On the first morning (Friday) they enjoyed the experience of lessons in a German Gymansium (grammar school), but perhaps didn’t enjoy the early start: the school bell rings for the first lesson at 7.50am! After morning lessons, we travelled into the city centre on the tram to visit the city hall (das Rathaus) and be formally welcomed to the city by the mayor (der Bürgermeister). Then we returned to school to be welcomed by the principal. Local press interviewed us and took our photo for the local paper.

During the weekend the students enjoyed a variety of individual trips and excursions with their host families.

On Monday we visited the city of Düsseldorf. We received breakfast at the regional parliament building, then listened to an introductory talk about the building and who works there. We visited the plenary room where the regional government meets and then had a meeting with a local MP who answered lots of questions about education and budgets. Then a short walk down the banks of the Rhein to Düsseldorf city centre for free time for lunch and shopping.

On Tuesday we spent a beautiful day in the sun at the climbing park. Everyone seemed to have a great time and quite a few brave souls faced their fear of heights with great success!

On Wednesday we had school for 3 lessons this morning, then a guided tour at the art gallery (die Kunsthalle), then some free time in the city, then to Dr Oetker World, for a tour of their interactive museum and then lots of pizza and dessert! And a goodie bag to bring home too!

On our last full day in Germany, the sun shone! We started at the Open Air Museum (das Freilichtsmuseum) where pupils visited centuries old farm houses and a reconstructed village with a tasty bakery in it. Then on to Hermann’s Monument (Hermannsdenkmal) , which remembers Armenius (Roman name) who fought against the Romans and brought many German tribes together. Then a couple of hours of free time in the beautiful city of Detmold.

Our farewell day started with some at lessons and some playing cards/board games. We played a team work challenge out in the sun, then we were treated to a farewell lunch, courtesy of the school principal. She also provided plenty of snacks and drinks for our journey home. There were lots (and lots) of tears when we said our final goodbyes before getting on the bus! Always a good sign of a successful exchange trip.

Mrs Donald, German Exchange Co-ordinator