On Thursday 17th May, 24 Year 7 pupils excitedly waited to board their flight to Jersey for their four-day residential trip. The itinerary included two days of ethograms and animal observations in Durrell Zoo, a trip to Mont Orgueil Castle, World War Two war tunnels and a Rounder’s fixture against St Michaels Prep School.
On arrival, the coach company was there to meet us and we took the short drive to Durrell Zoo where the girls were allocated their rooms and the activities and groups were explained. On the first morning, the girls rose full of energy and headed to the park where they were allocated a group of primates on which to base their animal study. On arrival, each group made sketches of the area and started to consider the various behaviours on display in order to construct an ethogram on the iPads. During breaks from filming their information videos and completing the ethograms, the girls listened to animal talks and lectures and gained an understanding on the work that Gerald Durrell had started 50 years ago in conserving animals. In the afternoon, the girls boarded the coach to play St Michaels Prep School in a Rounders fixture. Two teams played against a very strong opposition and although the result did not go our way, it was lovely to see how well the girls interacted with each other.
Day three started with the girls undertaking their first of many ethograms. An excited group of girls boarded the bus that afternoon, looking forward to trip to the beach, ice cream and Pizza Express! The girls visited Mont Orgueil which was Jersey’s primary defence where Mrs Tear experienced first-hand what it would have been like to be on the end of an attack, as the girls dressed up and chased her towards the gate with swords and shields! They then made their way to St. Brelade beach where they braved the cold sea. Tilly and Kate dug for lug worms and were rewarded with finding two very large ones which they later watched dig their way back into the sand as the tide came back in. The girls then took part in a beach Rounders competition before brushing off the sand and finishing the day with a Pizza Express.
On day four they visited the Jersey War Tunnels where they learnt about life in Jersey during the occupation. The tunnels were dug by forced and slave labourers from nations across Europe and stretch to 1km in length. Each girl was given an identity card for an islander in which they had to investigate throughout the exhibition. The exhibits were very detailed and highlighted the difficult times the people of Jersey faced during and following WWII. After spending the last of their pocket money in the tunnels shop, the girls boarded the coach to the airport for their short flight home.
Mr Smith, Deputy Head (Logistics)
"My time in Jersey was amazing! My favourite part was most definitely visiting the Zoo as I loved seeing the gorillas and watching them show off in front of us. I also really enjoyed our evening frizbee. Everyone was so competitive, especially the teachers! Our trip to Jersey is one that I will never forget and I'd like to thank Mr Smith, Mr John and Mrs Tear for making it happen".
Hermione, Year 7
