On January 20th, 32 Year 13 Psychology students flew to Poland for a short but feature-packed trip to the beautiful city of Krakow. However, this was not a sightseeing trip; we were there to visit the Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was the scene of horrific atrocities during WW2, witnessing the systematic execution of over 1 million people: a dark time in recent human history, known as the holocaust.
Friday in Poland began with a traditional Polish street food style lunch of Zapiekanka; a delicious open sandwich with a vast array of fillings to choose from. Our tour guide Monica, took us on a walking tour round the Jewish Quarter, Kaziemierz, who gave us an insight into what it would have been like as a Jewish person living in Nazi occupied Poland, having to hide in fear of being caught or being sent away from your home and family.
She revealed that 65,000 Jews from Kraków alone were killed in the Holocaust. The figures were damning, but the reality of the situation really hit the following day, when we stood in the grounds of the work and death camp, Auschwitz.
The tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau was insightful as much as it was harrowing. It was an experience we were grateful to have had as it’s important to try and understand why these sorts of events happen and how we can try to prevent them from occurring again. Piles of children’s shoes, locks of women’s hair and rows of black-and-white photographed faces, identified by numbers on striped pyjamas, stared back at us as we followed a tour guide. The three-dimensions of the memories of who stood there before brought home the shocking reality of just how many families were unjustly torn apart. We learnt of one man in particular who volunteered to take the place of another prisoner who had been sentenced to death, a selfless act of many in a camp that was so unforgiving. We looked into the links to social psychology, with theories of obedience and prejudice explaining how and why such a terrible thing may have occurred. In particular, we can look at agency theory, which explains that the Nazi soldiers became ‘agents’ to their superiors, and therefore did not feel responsibility for their actions. Another psychological factor is the identification of in-groups and out-groups, which leads to prejudice. As the Jewish population was so segregated and isolated from society, it was hard to view them as anything other than ‘the enemy’, despite no real motive.
As some light relief following on from the day’s events, we ventured into Kraków Old Town for some free time to explore the large market square, taking in the beautiful architecture and local stalls. The snow and cold weather added a magical edge to the city. Finally, a dinner of soup, chicken and potatoes and apple pie was served at a traditional Polish restaurant, and we retired to bed in good spirits.
Our final day was going to be harrowing – meeting a holocaust survivor. The lady we met talked about her experience of having lost her parents and been sent to a convent, before finally being adopted and given a new identity. Her parents had shown courage and self-sacrifice, risking everything to keep their 8 month old daughter safe. They had trusted their instincts to give their baby girl to a neighbour and bravely wrapped up a doll to take on their final journey to the death camps, as the German soldiers saw them as nothing more than numbers. She ended her piece by telling us all that she hopes we never feel sad, and related the wartime experiences to the current affairs of war and persecution in Ukraine. It was a very emotional experience, but also uplifting, as she had such a positive mindset which helped her cope with the sadness she had experienced and make peace with her past.
On the journey home on Sunday evening, we all reflected on just how much we had gained from this experience, and I think we can conclude that it was a trip that none of us will easily forget.
Róisín Hurley, Lizzie Green, Erin Leigh and Emily Sanders
What a trip! Four days! We did it all, travelling through 4 countries, Christmas markets in Köln and Düsseldorf, der Kölner Dom, das Schokoladenmuseum, swimming, Phantasialand, der Fernsehturm, shopping and we even managed to visit our partner school in Erkrath.
Parents and students in our partner school, das Gymnasium an Neandertal (Gymneander) organised a Christmas party with German seasonal food. We shared English traditions (mince pies, crackers and a Lucky Dip) and sang Stille Nacht together. All of our students also attended 2 lessons to get a taste of what it is like to learn in a German School.
St Nikolaus, who normally comes on the night of 5th- 6th December, came 3 days early to put some chocolate in the shoes we left outside the door of our hotel rooms.
The German department are very proud of our 84 students from Year 8, 9 and 10 who took it all in their stride. They were fantastic ambassadors for Presdales and our country. I even heard them talking German to each other. Well done to them all!
We hope the pictures give you a flavour of this exciting trip.
From Friday 21st October to Thursday 27th October, 40 sixth form students (“39 ladies and George” according to our American tour guide) and 4 members of staff reacquainted themselves with the United States of America after 4 long years apart. The trip involved 2 days in New York taking in the 9/11 Memorial Museum, Top of the Rock, Central Park & Times Square among other sites and 3 days in Washington DC visiting Capitol Hill, Arlington Cemetery, Georgetown, the Washington Monument etc.
The group stop the traffic in Times Square
Listening to “Imagine” beside the tribute to Lennon in Central park
New York by night
Getting wet saying hello to Sleepy Joe
Outside the Supreme Court – luckily the justices weren’t at home!
At Grand Central Station
On Thursday 9th June, the Year 12 students went on a Fashion & Textiles research trip into London. Our first stop was the flagship Alexander McQueen shop on Old Bond Street. Here we looked at fabulous fashion – a cloud inspired shirt which costs £690, amazing brightly coloured evening dresses and intricately embroidered gowns and artwork inspired by them. There was a really amazing display of masks, hairpieces, drawings, woven hangings … a great start to our afternoon in London.
We then headed to High Street Kensington to visit the Design Museum. Here we looked at sustainable fashion by fashion designer Bethany Williams.
This new exhibition embraces the discussion of social and environmental issues. There were some fabulous fashion design creations using materials like postal bags, denim, old ribbon and foil, packaging, to design modern and stylish streetwear.
Part of the exhibition showed Williams’ response to the pandemic, and she created PPE wear for hospital workers in the Midlands.
The last stop on our trip was Japan House. Here we saw beautiful and delicate Japanese artefacts, fabrics, food packaging, books, and kitchenware. We then went in to see an exhibition, Symbiosis: Living Island.
This living art project has transformed the landscape of the island of Inujima and enriched the lives of its inhabitants. There were models of buildings and structures in graphic materials, and a calm atmosphere with Japanese music and photos of this serene island.
The day was a really good mix of culture, textiles, fashion, and art, and the students were really positive and mature. We all enjoyed our day in London and were hopefully inspired by it.
Therese Hayhurst
Wow! Just Wow! What an absolutely fantastic experience this was. When I drove up to the start location (slightly delayed having been caught in the early morning rush hour!) I arrived to see a sea of Presdales students, all brightly coloured in their high vis jackets, waterproofs and fleeces, ready and waiting in their teams, eager to get started with their first day on expedition. The weather was perfect, and the fresh morning air was filled with the buzz of excited chatter and laughter as participants compared equipment and tested the weight of one another’s backpacks. After registering the teams, they were met by their instructors who handed out tents, stoves and maps and briefed them about their routes for the first day. Before we knew it, the teams were waving goodbye and setting out into the woods!
The first day was long and tough with unexpectedly warm weather and strong sunshine which added to the challenge. Groups were reminded regularly to reapply sun cream and hydrate but all reached the finish with flushed faces (some more so than others!) and in need of a sit down in the shade! The wind started to pick up and participants were tasked to building up the camp and cooking their suppers on their stoves. For some, this was their first experience of camping and cooking in the outdoors but they learnt quickly with the guidance and support from instructors and from those who had done their Bronze last year.
The hot food and drink as well as removing their heavy boots gave some participants a second wind and soon there were games of volleyball and rounders happening on the field. Koa, the Gold Retriever, invented her own game of stealing all of the tennis balls and thoroughly enjoyed making the year 10s chase her to get them back!
By sundown, the day’s exertion was taking its toll and participants began peeling off to snuggle down in their tents. All was quiet by 10pm and the camp looked magical with the 50 orange tents glowing in the moonlight under the stars.
It’s safe to say here that 06:30 wakeup call was unpopular. Camping with 3 to a tent is never particularly comfortable and the lack of a good night’s sleep combined with the chilly morning mist and aching bodies made it even tougher for the participants to leave their sleeping bags and begin building down the camp. Despite this, by 09:00, participants were smiling again and kitted up and ready to set out on day 2.
The second day pushed participants further as they were required to navigate themselves from checkpoint to checkpoint over a distance of approximately 18km. Instructors remained at a distance to give participants more independence and to build on the skills that they had learnt the previous day. All took this challenge in their stride and groups began flocking into the 2nd campsite as early at 15:00!
Dorney Wood Campsite was stunning with forest, fields and an impressive firepit which felt more like an amphitheatre! Students pitched their tents and cooked supper with more confidence that night and by 20:00, it was time for the bonfire!
All 72 participants gathered in their groups around the campfire and it was moving to see them all happily discussing the day’s events whilst warming themselves and toasting marshmallows. Harry and Steve, two of our instructors, provided the night’s entertainment by playing Eric Clapton on the guitar and telling ghost stories. It truly was one of the best nights on expedition we have ever had and any of the instructors said the same.
The final day began bright and early and participants were up and out with speed, eager to reach the finish line! It was wonderful to see the emotional reunion at the finish location as the parents arrived to bring the participants home and although it was sad it was over, we were all ready to get home for a shower and good night’s sleep!
I’d just like to finish by saying that it was thanks to the students that this expedition was such a success. Although they were separated into expedition groups, there was a real feeling of togetherness, warmth and respect which isn’t always seen on large expeditions such as this one. Every student looked out for those around them and were ready to stop for a break, offer help and share the load wherever it was needed and I felt proud of every single one of them.
I am really looking forward to the qualifying expedition in July and hope that the students are too.
Miss Haywood
We have had a brilliant sunny weekend at PGL with the Year 7 and 8 netball teams! The girls have played some excellent netball and competed against 12 schools in each year group. The girls came in the following positions;
Year 7A – Champions
Year 7B – 3rd place
Year 7C – 10th place
Year 8A – runners up
Year 8B – 3rd place
We have selected players of the tournament for each team over the weekend:
Year 7A – Lyra Reason
Year 7B – Kennedy Scott
Year 7C – Alice Redhead
Year 8A – Anya Pettit
Year 8B – Evelyn Pearce
Well done everyone!
The girls have been doing lots of activities when not playing netball, including, zip wire, giant swing, abseiling and climbing!
They have also met Sophie Drakeford-Lewis who plays for Team Bath and England Roses.
Waking up in the early morning sunshine
Phew!! What a weekend! This was is the largest cohort of Bronze participants we have ever had take part in the Bronze DofE programme at Presdales with just over 130 students turning up to the start location. It was quite an operation to coordinate but thanks to the positive attitude and determination of the girls as well as the beautiful springtime sunshine, it was a massive success.
The weekend started off with excitement with all participants turning up at Cole Green in their shiny, new expedition kit not knowing what to expect. They met their instructors for the weekend and set off on their routes. Despite the blazing sunshine, the paths were extremely muddy and very soon, their new boots were all the same colour, soggy and brown, and the challenges began! The girls worked excellently with one another and their instructors to learn how to navigate using compasses and maps. Their first day hike to the campsite was approximately 18 kilometres. Considering that the girls were carrying heavy backpacks weighing in at around 1/3 of their body weight on their backs, this was no walk in the park! With just a few short stops for snacks and lunch, the girls were journeying for over 6 hours and there was relief once they arrived at the forest camp but the day’s challenges were far from over!
Upon arrival at Danemead Scout Campsite, the expedition groups had to choose a sensible spot to pitch their tents for the night and then work together to cook their supper in mess tins on stoves. For some, this was their first time cooking outdoors or putting up tents and after a long day on their feet, they were pretty exhausted by the end of it! As the temperature dropped and the sun set, the head-torches, jackets and hats went on and the forest camp was soon lit up by the glowing light of campfires. It was fantastic to see the girls cuddled up together, laughing and sharing their stories from the day’s adventures whilst toasting marshmallows in the flames.
After a VERY chilly night in the tents, the girls were up and working together again at 07:00 to cook their breakfasts and clear the camp in the crisp, early morning light. Despite the aching bodies and lack of a good night’s sleep, participants were still smiling and eager to get on with their second day of hiking.
The finish location was Presdales which required another long route of approximately 16km, this time under remote supervision meaning that instructors were challenging the groups to navigate the distance on their own. Groups had to put the skills they had learnt the previous day to the test and many made it to the finish in record time!
It was an absolute pleasure to take these girls out on expedition thanks to the positive attitude they showed towards each challenge they faced and to one another. They were polite towards the staff and showed maturity throughout and were a credit to the school. A Huge thank you must also go to Mr Bedwell and Miss Sippi who came along to support us all at camp and with managing the equipment.
The participants must now apply themselves to finishing off their Volunteering, Physical and Skill section activities and get their assessors to write up their final reports before the Qualifying Expedition goes ahead on the 20th – 21st May. Good luck girls and I look forward to seeing you smash the Qualifier!
Miss Haywood
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Coming Up
Wednesday 14th
Year 7 (15 students) care home performance, periods 3 & 4
Year 10 Geography Trip to Epping Forest
Thursday 15th & Friday 16th
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze 2024-2025 Qualifying Expedition
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