This is London calling. This is London calling. Do you read me? Do you read me?
Recently Dunedin pupils and staff ventured south to experience the sights, sounds and smells of London. Fortunately we were accompanied by two renowned correspondents, Grace and Jaime, who have submitted the following report for your delectation:
Day 1: On the 20th June Dunedin embarked on its biggest adventure. 11 pupils and 5 teachers board the 09.00 train to London’s Kings Cross. We killed time by playing hangman and card games. When we arrived at King’s Cross, we saw platform 9 ¾ for all the Harry Potter fans. We put our bags in to storage and walked to the British museum where we saw Egyptian mummies, artefacts from ancient Japan, the Rosetta stone and the ancient Greek Elgin marbles. Then we got the over ground train to Catford where we stayed. When we arrived, we found our rooms and explored the house whilst Amanda ordered everyone pizzas. However, there was a mistake with one of the pupil’s pizzas; they delivered a very plain pizza with just tomato sauce, but Vicky saved the day. Later that evening Vicky told a bedtime story whilst some people sat outside and chatted. Everyone eventually went to bed by 10 pm.
Day 2: on the 21st June everyone awoke from their beauty sleep and had a luxurious breakfast made by the one and only Cathy and Vicky (toast and box cereal!) Everyone got ready and we made lunch and headed for the over ground train to Thames Link. As we walked out the station we got a spectacular view of the Shard. We then walked to the Tower of London where we saw the Crown Jewels, Beef Eaters and the famous Ravens. We then went to the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula where Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Jane Grey are buried before splitting in to smaller groups. Some of us went to the torture tower and the bloody tower whistle others went to the army museum and tried on a 40 kg bag that they have to carry in the army. After the Tower of London, we met Vicky’s son Daniel and went on a tour boat along the Thames. We started from Tower Bridge and got off near the parliament. We scampered through the crowds to Parliament Square, where we spilt into two groups, one group went back to the accommodation whilst the other group carried on walking to Buckingham Palace. On our way we stopped at St James park for a refreshing ice cream or ice lolly. We carried on walking to the Palace and took many photographs. On our way back, we passed high commissions and Embassies. Finally, we took the over ground train back to Catford where we were staying. Some pupils made a lovely spaghetti bolognaise for dinner. Later that evening some people played games and some people relaxed.
Day 3: on the 22nd June, the last day of our adventure, we went to Madam Tussauds where we saw lots of famous people such as Mo Farah, the royal family, Freddie Mercury, Taylor Swift and loads more. There was a taxi ride through time in London which was very interesting. After that we went on the underground to King’s Cross to pick up our luggage and we had lunch. Before getting the train back to Edinburgh, some people explored King’s Cross station and bought some souvenirs. At that point we boarded our train back to Edinburgh. Some people chatted and some slept. When we arrived at Waverly Station we were met by Cathy’s daughter Vicky. We then waited for taxis to take us back to school. At that point everyone was exhausted but had a great trip and an amazing experience.
What follows is a pupil eyewitness account. Only read if you have a good head for heights:
“This year we went back to Go Ape in Dalkeith country park. Go Ape is really fun (and also kind of
scary). It has 8 zip wires that go across the river Esk, and platforms high up in the trees with different
crossings like bouncy nets 30 feet up in the air going in between the trees. The hardest part of Go
Ape is a part that is very high up and has footholds hanging from a rope. They swing around when
you try to cross them and its quite scary. Last year when I was at that part a certain pupil almost
threw up on me (I’m not allowed to say their name but you know who it is!) They did manage to get
over their fear and complete it eventually though so that’s good. Luckily this year no one threw up.
After we finished the course we had a picnic lunch in Dalkeith country park and I bought an
orangutan from the shop that’s next to Go Ape. He is called Jimmy. Go Ape was a very fun trip and
we might go again next year if enough people want to go.”
(Thank you for that. Hmmmm… rather you than me!)
Amanda, our Biology teacher, is renowned for getting straight to the point, the heart of the matter one might say. In her chosen chamber (the classroom) she delicately dissects, delves within and disseminates her wisdom among her pupils, an aortic conduit of knowledge… (enough already with your poor heart-based puns. Ed.)
Sorry about that Ed., thought I had my finger on the pulse of this blog piece but maybe not! However, it can’t be denied that our pupils have been in the business of dissecting, as well as extracting (the DNA of the strawberry), with a little bit of mitosis modelling on the side. Keep up the good work I say, as I punder what it all means (punder! – get it). (Right, that’s it, no more punderous puns from you for today. Ed.)
…or so they say! If that is the case then Christmas cake I am (and proud of it).
Christmas though? I know – it seems so long ago. Cast your eyes over these very tasty images of our pupils’ Christmas offerings and you will remember that, actually, it was only a matter of weeks ago. Of course the cakes and gingerbread, icing and penguins are long consumed, but still they stand as a testament to the remarkable skills (and teachery guidance) that are regularly on display in our school kitchen. Long may it be so says I.
