Berlin Trip

39 students visited Berlin during October half-term. The trip encompassed two parts of the curriculum, with one group focused on history and another one looking at art.

The historians led by Mr Mason, Mr Taylor and Mr Jeavons were fascinated to learn more about Berlin’s past. They visited a Stasi prison camp and were moved by a personal recount from their tour guide. They also explored a World War II bunker. At the Jewish museum they viewed plentiful historical artefacts and a visit to the Topography of Terror informed them about the central institutions of the SS and police in the “Third Reich”, as well as the crimes committed by them throughout Europe. They also visited the Palace of Tears (Tränenpalast) which is the former train station and a crossing place between East and West Germany. Citizens from the west part of the country were allowed to travel and this was the place where they said their goodbyes to their friends and family in the east. In 2011, an exhibition was set up, explaining the consequences and the daily life of those who were affected by this event in history.

Our WGS artists led by Mrs Waddell and Mrs Harris enjoyed visiting stunning museums including the C/O photography museum, the Hamburger Bahnhof contemporary art museum, the medical museum based at the world-famous Berlin Charité hospital, and the computer games museum (Computerspielemuseum).

Both groups enjoyed a full cultural experience around the many sights of Berlin, including the Jewish memorial, Brandenburg Gate, the stunning Reichstag building and the East Side Gallery, which is an open-air gallery of famous street art murals painted along the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall

With accommodation just a short 10-minute walk from the underground our students enjoyed navigating the city like residents and sampling a wonderful selection of German food. Many memories were made, and friendships forged across the different year groups.

“It was such a fun learning experience for me! From seeing the gorgeous Brandenburg Gate to the stunning Reichstag building, both groups loved having moments together when seeing the splendid architecture and food Berlin had to offer.” - Priya (Year 12)