School trips are an essential part of learning beyond the classroom. They give students the chance to experience history, culture, and language first-hand, turning lessons into real-life adventures. These opportunities help build confidence, broaden horizons, and create memories that last a lifetime. Our Year 8 trip to Munich was a perfect example of this – combining education, culture, and fun in one unforgettable experience.

On Monday, 40 excited Year 8 students set off from Baddow for an unforgettable trip to Munich. After landing, we took a coach to our youth hostel, settled in, and enjoyed a traditional German-style dinner. Wrapped up warm against the chilly temperatures, we headed out to explore the magical Tollwood Winter Festival at Theresienwiese – the very site of the famous Oktoberfest. The festival was a dazzling display of lights, culture, and creativity, offering a true taste of modern Germany.

Tuesday brought sunshine and smiles as Mrs Fox led her very own “Foxy Tours” – a fascinating sightseeing adventure! Highlights included visiting the iconic Lady of Munich and discovering the legendary Devil’s footprint, a quirky twist of divine intervention. Later, we immersed ourselves in the festive atmosphere of Munich’s traditional Christmas market. Students enjoyed shopping for gifts and sampling delicious German treats – with Bratwurst and chocolate-covered fruit emerging as clear favourites! In the evening, we returned to Tollwood for more music, street performances, and celebrations.

On Wednesday, we explored the world of engineering at BMW, where students tested their balance on classic and modern motorcycles. A real showstopper was the famous Elvis car, valued at an incredible €8 million! We also caught a glimpse of the Olympic Park before heading back to the city centre. There, we climbed 306 steps to the top of Alter Peter Church, rewarded with breathtaking views over Munich and Marienplatz. With the sound of a choir singing from the Town Hall balcony, we enjoyed our final dinner at the Christmas market before returning to the hostel for our last night.

Our final day, Friday, began with a visit to the iconic Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich – a must-see for any football fan! After soaking up the atmosphere, it was time to say goodbye to our home away from home and begin the journey back.

A huge thank you to our amazing staff – Mr Fox, Mr Davis, and Mr Blum – and, of course, to our wonderful Year 8 students. You were fantastic ambassadors for the school, and we couldn’t be prouder! Ms A Davy, Head of German