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England 2012 – Travel Diary – Farewell „good old Quorn Hall“

England 2012 – Travel Diary – Farewell „good old Quorn Hall“

When late in April 2012 the two DFG classes 7b and 5.bic2 set off for Quorn Hall, I felt sentimental and melancholic alike. Unfortunately last year the decision had been made to close down the youth hostel in the very heart of England, which since 1998 has successfully hosted more than 1.000 pupils of our school on more than 20 school trips. My first visit to this charming place was in the summer of 1982, so this year I was lucky to celebrate my 30th Quorn Hall anniversary.

But what made this International Student Centre run by the Leicestershire County Council such an extraordinary place to stay?

Was it the extravagant and luxurious flair of accommodation, the neatly furnished 10-bed dormitories, or rather the notorious reputation of the English cuisine, including the packed lunches beloved by generations of German visitors ?

Interestingly enough, the great majority of pupils have loved both accomodation and food, whereas a small minority only has created the myth of uneatable meals and lousy bunk-beds.

But everybody visiting Quorndon really enjoyed the nature and the countryside around Quorn Hall, miles away from anywhere : the ducks, cows and horses, the damp meadows and wet shoes; the friendly villagers who started conversations with every stranger; the remoteness of the sleepy village, and finally the remarkable shopping facilities in Quorn’s unique little supermarket.

What I personally really appreciated at Quorn was the warm-hearted reception and contact with anyone working there, staff and wardens, the outstanding indoor and outdoor facilities for school groups, from group rooms over classrooms to games rooms – not to forget the football pitches, and the perfectly located position in the centre of England, best suited for day trips to so many beautiful English places.

So bidding farewell after so many years also means saying thank you to everybody up there who helped to make our visit such an extremely enjoyable experience for both pupils and teachers.

And if you have read this years‘ „Abi-Zeitung“, so many school-leavers name the trip to Quorn Hall among their very best memories they connect with their school life.

But a farewell is always a new beginning ! I’m looking foreword to visiting new areas in England on our school trips and I’m sure the spirit of the England trip will survive !!!

But now lets come back to the 2012 trip with 52 pupils of the classes 7b and 5.bic2 !

Very special thanks to Frau Jahns, Frau Wurster and Herrn Dudzus, who accompanied the trip and put so much effort into making it an unforgettable experience for everybody !

I’m really glad to say that everything went well and all of us spent a jolly good time in England.

Yet, there was so much to learn and experience, and lots of things didn’t work from the beginning !

You all had to get to know pupils from another class : we deeply believe that the „integration“ between French and German pupils – a magical key word at our school – is really working well during the trip. As a result, for British outsiders, there’s no obvious difference between German and French pupils, it’s just one big common group. And thanks to the wonderful place there were so many ways and possibilities of getting closer from day to day !

But even with your own friends and classmates you had to find compromises, because you had to spend 24 hours a day together and that for eight days and nights. And that’s not always easy, isn’t it! Conflicts are hiding everywhere and you can’t just go home in times of trouble !

Not to forget the relationship between pupils and teachers ! It’s very special on class trips and often an interesting experience to get to know each other outside the teaching atmosphere of a classroom.

Quorn Hall has always been about learning and experiencing : respect and regard for others, cutting down you egoism, following rules and instructions given by teachers or guides, paying attention to punctuality and cleanliness, etc, etc, …

But school trips are never meant to be a perfect time-off, without parents, limits and rules, nor guided shopping tours or perfect five-star holidays. Sorry lads, we can’t offer that – ask your parents !!!

This trip ought to present the highlights of the heart of England to you and give you an insight into a wonderful country, its language, its people, its history, culture and above all, its way of life.

And here you all deserve a very big praise and applause – everything worked well, everybody enjoyed the tough programme and everybody was motivated and positive, and that’s exactly the pre-condition of having a good time ! Only from time to time some of you got on our nerves, but we never had a real problem !

Now back home again everybody had to work on travel diaries. Most of them are brilliant, some are lousy, some even too awful to be published, but we have been able to put something together that we all can enjoy for a lifetime. And that’s in the end my motivation to produce and edit this little booklet, although I always promise never to do it again.

Thanks go also to the members of the photo team – you did a great job – and to family Gurti for the printing !

And now let’s just enjoy this little travel diary ! I think it’s great, we have very individual reports in German, English and French. These diaries – and of course the huge number of photos – will bring back memories and will be still worth looking at, when you are old and grey, and your own 13-year-old kids are kicking your nerves !

So all the best to all of you – take care !!

Marcus Boese

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