During February half term, a group of 58 students from across Year 10 & Year 11 embarked on a visit to Berlin to further explore the topics they are covering in their History curriculum.
On the first day, we went on a walking tour around Berlin to see some of the city’s most famous sites and learn about their historical significance. On arrival, we navigated our way through every type of public transport, twisting and turning around the streets of Berlin before arriving to drop our bags at the hotel.
We then headed out to the Story of Berlin Museum. Here we explored the timeline of Berlin from its modest beginnings to one of the central capital cities in the world. We also delved deep underground to a former nuclear bunker, which would have been used in a real attack.
Next stop was Bundestag (Reichstag), the home of German parliament and one of the most iconic places in German history. The night sky was the perfect background to hear the enthralling history of the building but also see the amazing views of Berlin.
Friday saw a tour of Sachsenhausen – a place that opened our eyes to events inside concentration camps under the Nazis. The tour guide took us around the whole camp and explained in extreme detail what happened inside the huge, secretive walls and what type of people were held hostage there. It was a sobering experience but an important one as we continued to pledge that we ‘will never forget’. We followed this visit up to a modern day example of remembrance in the form the Holocaust Memorial where students explored the memorial, debated meanings and more importantly the people which it represents.
Over the following days, the group explored many other aspects of Berlin, including a visit to a remaining section of the Berlin Wall where they expanded their historical knowledge and emotionally connected with the personal hardships suffered by so many. Our pupils also had the opportunity to explore what life was like on the East side of Berlin and Germany.
We toured an ex-Stasi (East German Secret Police) prison, exploring the “submarine” and isolation units, which were enthralling. Hearing the experience of someone who was imprisoned for just wanting the basics we take for granted today was hard hitting. Students also explored the DDR Museum, which educated students on everyday life in the East looking at anything from food to a Volkswagen!
It was not just all History though! Students enjoyed exploring the city in the evening before and after dinner. Students explored the local shopping centres and found ways to spend those last remaining Euros. Students also sadly were defeated during a bowling masterclass by the staff in an event that will go down in legend. We also finished off our trip with a lovely meal at Villa Rodizio and said farewell to another fantastic trip with superb students.
The trip was a great opportunity to gain insight into a country and culture they are studying and to make historical links to places they have now seen for themselves. I thank the students for their exemplary behaviour and hope that they enjoyed the trip as much as the staff did.
#StudleytoSchonefeld #SHSonTour
