Berlin February 2009

During the half term holiday in February 2009, 2 members of staff, Ms Masters and Mr Moore, accompanied 15 students from years 9 - 12 on a trip to Berlin and Potsdam.

Students enjoyed a full programme of events including bike riding in the snow, visiting a German grammar school in Potsdam and touring the German Parliament building. Several students had never been on a plane, so the flight from Bristol to Berlin was a new experience in itself.

The group stayed in a Youth Hostel in the city of Potsdam, just outside Berlin. During the visit to Humboldt Gymnasium - a German grammar school - students were given a tour of the campus, had the chance to see German, English and French lessons and compared the English and German school systems. Callington students were pleased to find out that they spend fewer hours in school than their German hosts!

Berlin highlights included a visit to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, shopping at Potsdamer Platz and a visit to the Olympic Stadium, where the last Football World Cup Final was played. Students and staff all really enjoyed the trip and found it a useful opportunity to try out their German language skills and learn more about German history.

A great time was had by all!

Students had this to say about the visit:

Isobel Jackson, Year 9: "The Berlin trip was Brilliant.  It went so quickly and we were always doing something, such as visiting Checkpoint Charlie or going shopping.  I was really sad when we had to go back home and I would love to go again."

Chris Lamley, Year 9: "...We flew over with Easyjet from Bristol (my first time flying!)  While we were there we stayed in a youth hostel in Potsdam.  While in Germany we went shopping and visited famous landmarks like Checkpoint Charlie.  I enjoyed this trip and I think that it will have helped me learn German."

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