After a wet and early start, Coach One set off at 5:45 a.m. on Thursday morning, and after an enjoyable coach journey, we were all excited to finally arrive in France. Our first stop was the Wellington Tunnels in Arras, where we were immediately struck by the tough and dangerous experiences of the New Zealand soldiers who dug 80 meters of tunnel each day, eventually reaching a total of 20 kilometres in under a year. These tunnels sheltered over 25,000 soldiers before the successful Battle of Arras.

Before crossing into Belgium, we visited a memorial dedicated to the brave Canadian soldiers who captured the vital high ground at Vimy Ridge during the Battle of Arras. We also got our first glimpse of how soldiers lived and fought by exploring a reconstructed trench. Later that day, we reached our destination in Ypres, Belgium. After an exciting but exhausting day, we enjoyed dinner and spent a relaxing evening at the hotel, playing pool and table tennis in the games room.

Day two began bright and early with breakfast before we set out on a guided tour. We learned about the medical evacuation routes used for soldiers wounded on the front line, visiting several cemeteries where our guide explained how many soldiers who didn't survive were buried close to where they fell. After a thought-provoking morning, we returned to Ypres for lunch and some well-deserved free time.

In the afternoon, we toured the Flanders Fields Museum and learned about the war in the Ypres Salient. We also visited Sanctuary Wood, where we explored a preserved trench from the war—complete with mud, which gave us a more realistic sense of what life was like for the soldiers. The rain definitely added to the atmosphere!

That evening, after dinner, we went to the Menin Gate in Ypres for the Last Post ceremony. It was a deeply moving experience, and we were proud to see Danny and Yashvi lay a wreath on behalf of all the students and staff from PHS.

On our final day, we visited the Passchendaele Memorial Museum, which was a highlight for many of us. The displays and the rebuilt dugout gave us an insight into what life was like for soldiers during WWI. We ended our trip at Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world. With 12,000 graves—9,000 of them unnamed—it was a powerful and emotional moment to reflect on the true cost of war.

Looking back on the trip, it was an incredible experience and a real honour to be part of it. I’d like to say a massive thank you to Ms. Cramp and the other staff for all their hard work in organising such an unforgettable journey.

Written by Connor, 11PW