[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″] [et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Every year, our Year 6 pupils are offered the opportunity to go on a school residential trip to Noordwijk – Holland. The children and staff set off from Teesside (sharing a runway with George Ezra!) where they embarked on a week they would never forget. It did not take long for the fun to start as we stopped off at the Den Haag Library and the Louwman Car Museum in Amsterdam. With a car collection of over 250, Mr Sherrington and Mr O’Donnell spent most of their time daydreaming about a possible future car upgrade, but the children were amazed at variety of cars on display. An original Mercedes-Benz from the 1880s, right up to the modern day F1 cars, and even a sneak-peek at one of James Bond’s Aston Martins – these were just some of the cars that were on display! After an exhausting day travelling and sight-seeing, we finally arrived in Noordwijk where we were met with a surprise visitor – Mr and Mrs Ryan (surely the children enjoyed this surprise?)! To celebrate, a trip to the beach was in order. A lovely evening blowing off some steam, we even met a few mermaids and finally managed to keep a few children still (only by burying them).

After much needed sleep and a hearty breakfast, we were ready for an exciting day out at Walibi World. Our Steady Eddies and our Fast and Furious groups split off into groups to squeeze in as much fun as they could in a day at the theme park. The Fast and Furious group really lived life in the fast lane after defeating Goliath and conquering the Rio Grande (Mr Ryan dares not to go on these anymore after last time), whist the Steady Eddies enjoyed themselves on Los Sombreros and the parks. A few children were maybe a little too daring after venturing onto the Terrifying Tomahawk (yes, this was all risk assessed!) and we all needed to cool down in the rapids and the log flumes to cool down. Seen as though we were already soaked, we could think of no better way to end the day – a water fight. Some children came back drenched, and some children and teachers handed some long awaited revenge with the water cannons! Time for a journey back to the hotel to chill out, fuel up, and watch some World Cup matches!

Lions, and tigers and bears, oh my! Today called for a journey to the zoo. After topping up the sun cream – we set off for a fun-filled day, and no doubt lots of frequent comparisons of Mr Conwell and the gorilla. Rotterdam’s Blidjorp Zoo had everything we could imagine: polar bears, giraffes, lions, zebras and meerkats (yes, there was quite a few impressions). Jackie set the standards high with his joke of the day competition “What do you call an alligator in a vest? An investigator!” only to be beaten by Caydee’s “Where do you find a dog with no legs? Right where you left it!” in an intense Twitter poll. Home time was very much needed and an evening in the games room was in order.

Our last full day today! First off, Ajax stadium. We know that it’s not quite the Riverside, but nonetheless, Ajax Stadium was an impressive sight. We like to think Ajax’s future summer transfer fees will be partly funded by St Patrick’s after a trip to their gift shop. Who knows?  They may even be after some of our Year 6s for their youth squad. After a flying visit to Ajax, we set off for the picturesque town of Volendam, a beautiful fishing village in the North of Holland. Fish and chips for lunch we think – it doesn’t get any better than this. Now, it looks like there’s time for one last journey to the beach to make the most of the scorching weather.  Tonight was the night Mr Ryan had been waiting for – bowling. After many claims that he was St Patrick’s undefeated champion, the children (and Mr Sherrington) set out to prove him wrong. The look on his face was priceless after being beaten, he now claims “Well no one would beat me at chess!”

Home today! I’m sure all of the parents are excited for their children’s return – but first, Duinrell! Surely we could squeeze in a quick trip to splash about in the water park? Children grabbed their dingies and flew around the rapids and plug hole slides at incredible speeds, surfed the wave machines and soaked their friends with the water guns. What a lovely last morning. We still had time to enjoy the pirate ships and the slides before heading off to the airport and get this lot home to their families!

What a wonderful week we had. Lots of schools ask why we take the children away. In many ways it’s hard to explain but I think these photos show better than words can. We have the privileged position to be part of these children’s lives and we have the chance to help create and share special memories. We don’t know what the future holds for ourselves or these children, but we do have the gift to shape the present and to give these children memories to take with them forever. We have the chance to help these children look back and know they were happy and that they were cared for. They will hopefully look back at their time at school and realise they achieved academically all they possibly could, but also realise that they developed as people and they learnt to share friendship and special moments with each other. Our memories and childhood experiences shape the people who we become. Childhood rushes far too quickly and we need to make sure we do all we can to hold on to it and to build special moments for the children together. We are truly grateful that our parents and governors share in these views and support us as they do. Thank you to the parents for bring up such wonderful children who are a pleasure to spend such a busy week with. We hope they enjoyed it and that they remember it forever.

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