March 2009

French Trip

On Sunday 1st March, 22 sixth form students, Mrs Farrell, Deputy Head and Mr Ashford, Head of Business Studies, set off from school in the early hours on a 3 day visit to Disneyland Paris. Contrary to popular opinion this was a study trip and not just-a-jolly, but there was a bit of enchantment about it all.

Travelling by train via the Eurotunnel, it was for some students the first time they had visited la belle France and also the first time they had been to the continent through the tunnel. Some students stared agog, wondering if they would be able to see fish in the sea through the windows! They were only a little disappointed. Mrs Farrell is still reeling in gratitude from the stewardess’s question, "Champagne Madame?" What a wonderful way to travel!

After checking in to the Disney Cheyenne Hotel we were off to the village to experience the magic of Disney. Bright lights and Disney music serenaded us as we strolled.

However, on Monday morning we were up bright and early to join hundreds of other students in the Disney IMAX theatre for the first of 3 seminars which covered a range of topics from innovative marketing to managing change. Specifically, we listened to Richard Donkin (ex-Financial Times journalist, speaking about the history of work); Irfan Badakshi (founder of Bean2bed, manufacturing beanbags that unzip to become beds) and Emma Harris (Director of Sales & Marketing Director for Eurostar). The talks were valuable and contributed towards improved understanding of business and media issues in general, looking at the world of work; setting up a company and managing marketing change as examples.

Fortunately there was time on Monday and Tuesday to enjoy both the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios. Indiana Jones, Tower of Terror, Crush’s Coaster and Space Mountain were the preferred rides, some more hair-raising than others. While some students enjoyed restaurant dining in the evenings, others shopped in the Disney Village.

The students’ behaviour and time-keeping was excellent, and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. "I don’t want to go home - can’t we stay longer?" pleaded Heisley. "No, but perhaps we will return next year..." Thanks to Mr Ashfield for organising a wonderful and hugely successful visit.

Jo Gardener, Clarice Jopling, Izzy Line, Naomi Giddy, Holly Greenslade