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The Stopfordian 2011–2012
period and beyond as the signs of re-unification are evident all
around. A guided visit to the ‘Road to German Democracy’
Museum gave further background to the pre-Nazi period and
explained the politics behind Hitler’s gaining power in 1933.
This was followed by a visit to Checkpoint Charlie and a much
needed lunch break. The highlight of Tuesday was the guided
visit to the ‘Topography of Terror’ exhibition. Standing on the
site of the Gestapo Headquarters the exhibition revealed the
people behind the horrors and allowed pupils to gain a greater
understanding of the German people’s perspective of the
Reich they were living in 1933-45.
This was followed by a teacher-led tour of the Jewish
Memorial and the Brandenburg Gate, before heading to the
famous Ku’damm and the Hard Rock Café for dinner. The
coach then took us on a ‘Berlin by night’ tour, allowing pupils
to see the Reichstag lit up and the longest remaining section
of the Berlin Wall.
numerous war criminals were relayed back differently to the
public of the allied countries. A fine exhibition above the
court room aided pupil understanding further. Later that
afternoon we set off for our final tour destination, Berlin.
Staying in the midst of the old East, with the Soviet television
Tower in view, the group arrived to a fine dinner and more
great weather. Berlin gave pupils the opportunity to extend
their knowledge beyond the Nazi period, into the Cold War
On our last morning in Germany the group travelled by train
the Olympic Stadium, famous home of the Nazis’ 1936
Olympics and propaganda triumph, following by a more
sobering guided tour of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.
This was a very packed and worthwhile tour, offering insight
that cannot be conveyed as easily in the classroom. Pupil
behaviour was excellent at all times and I thank those who
attended the tour for this. I would also like to convey my
thanks to Dr Smith, Miss Topping and Mr Grant, for
accompanying the tour and giving of their free time to do so
H. R. Ashton
STRATFORD TRIP
On a rare sunny day in June a group of literary Sixth Formers
gathered at the school gates in anticipation of a few days of
Shakespearean indulgence in Stratford. ‘A horse! a horse! my
kingdom for a horse!’ Such came the cries. Fortuitously, Mr
Masters had gone a step further and we were instead able to
travel in a minibus.
The journey was pleasant and filled with intelligent chatter.
On arrival in Stratford, we made the most of the sunny
weather and explored. Following a lunch break, we
reconvened close to the Swan Theatre and made our way
down to the river’s edge to embark on a boat trip along the
Avon, taking in the sights. Our guide was originally from
Transylvania, who ‘had so much to live for’, or so thought
Abigail Jones, who cried out this opinion as our guide climbed
to the edge of the boat to make some nautical adjustments.
Fortunately, we had not driven him to pursue a watery grave
and all normality was quickly restored.
The first evening was spent attending the Swan Theatre to
watch King John, part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s
Nations at War season. The story is that King John’s claim to
the throne is challenged by France, which threatens war
unless he steps aside in favour of his nephew, Arthur. A bitter
political struggle ensues as a weakened King clings to power,
no matter what the cost. The performance was stunning.
Alex Waldmann took the title role with Pippa Nixon as The
Bastard. The play was full of contemporary music and
costumes and this was a very modern and lively production
which included Mr Masters heading an escaped balloon back
towards the stage and a scary moment when our pupils were
approached by ‘The bastard’ with a microphone in the hope
that they would join in the musical performances happening
on stage. Our walk back to the hotel was filled with lively
60 Trips