Inspiring History trip to Krakow

July saw the history department embark on its latest adventure to the beautiful city of Krakow. Despite the 2:15 AM start (for which Mr Bodo and Mr Dodkin were the last to arrive at 2:10), the 41 accompanying students were in great spirits and after a smooth journey, we touched down to 30 degree heat for the next few days. Our first day was about finding our feet in the centre, with the help of some lovely local guides who toured us around the old medieval parts of the city, including the stunning Wawel castle, and into the suburbs, where the former Jewish quarter remains. After a long day, especially due to roughly 20,000 steps with the walking tour, students were thrilled with a hotel meal and an early night.

Day 2 saw us delve into the history of the city and the stories of its Jewish population before, during and after the Holocaust. The students got to listen to the story of a holocaust survivor as told by her daughter – an inspiring tale of survival and how she thrived in the postwar world. The afternoon saw us booked into the Schindler museum, the offices and factory of Oskar Schindler, another inspiring tale of a selfless man who rescued over 1,000 of his Jewish workers from the Holocaust in WW2. After more walking and sight seeing, the courtyard of the Pizzeria Trzy Papryczki was a beautiful way to spend the evening and see in the last of the sunshine.

Day 3 started with an early breakfast and bus journey to the sites of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest of the Nazis concentration and death camps in Poland. Students were expertly guided around the harrowing sites of the Nazis war atrocities, and had the opportunity to see first-hand the horrors that Jews, and other non-Aryan groups had to suffer. Students were magnificent in their respect and sensitivity on what was a tour full of tough sights and stories. A return to Krakow allowed students time to explore the historic market centre, before a wonderful local meal at the Galicyjska restaurant. We apologise once again for the noise when England successfully scored their winning penalty against Switzerland!

The final day was the highlight of the tour for many – a journey into the Wieliczka salt mines, an underground world of cavernous rooms and carvings of spectacular features that has existed and been ever growing since the 13th century. The guides were humorous and full of insightful stories and tips, including that licking the walls was a good idea, something of course that most students went on to do! Lunch and final souvenir shopping was the final part of the afternoon, before heading home in the evening.

As ever, Vandyke students were a credit to themselves and the school. Their behaviour and attitude was impeccable at all times, and were especially wonderfully supportive of each other in some tough occasions in historical sites and the heat. Thank you to all the staff and students who made the trip possible and so thoroughly enjoyable.