Marking the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, a group of our Maynard historians ventured out to the First World War battlefields of Belgium and France last Friday, one of the most meaningful and moving school trips to be a part of.
Their few days abroad have proven incredibly insightful into the conflict and a very rare opportunity to see deeply important pieces of history in person: they had the chance to visit Tyne Cot Cemetery, the Devonshire Regiment Cemetery on the Somme (where ancestors of students are buried), Beaumont-Hamel and the trenches and monument to the fallen, and the Vimy Ridge Memorial, even going down into the original tunnel systems under frontlines. The group also laid wreaths on behalf of The Maynard at the Menin Gate and the Thiepval Memorial.
And as well as learning about such serious subjects, they also got to enjoy some well-deserved down time in the local areas they visited, playing games in the hotel together and even picking up a bear mascot for the trip!
Overall, it was an absolutely unforgettable experience and invaluable for their History studies going forward. A huge well done to the students for being amazing as always and we look forward to catching up with them after half term!
