Day 4

Today we got a slight sleep in before heading off to the DDR museum. There the boys had a hands-on walk around, being able to learn a dance to a song from East Germany in the 80s, watch 80s TV and see how people lived in the former East Germany. Then it was off to the famous Alexanderplatz for some shopping and lunch before our second museum of the day, the house on Charlie Checkpoint. Before dinner we had some more time on Alexanderplatz where some of the boys joined a flash mob that was happening on the square!

Day 3

Day 3 started off with a morning at the ex stasi prison, where we watched a very informative documentary about the how the stasi worked and what the prison was used for. Then onto a guided tour of the cells. After the prison the boys got to enjoy an hour strolling in their groups around the famous Alexanderplatz - it's just a shame the shops are closed on a Sunday. From there it was on to the Nazi victim memorial, the Typography of Terror, as a number of the boys expressed their wishes to visit another museum. This being our replacement for the boat ride which was unfortunately cancelled due to poor weather.

Day 2

Despite the miserable weather and it being a Saturday, the boys were in top form this morning as we headed off nice and early to the Olympic stadium in Berlin. We had some free time to explore the stadium and had a picnic as we waited for the heavy rain to pass. After this, it was off to the famous Ku'damm avenue for some shopping and free time to explore and then into the Story of Berlin museum where we even got a tour of a nuclear bunker from the Cold War!

Berlin 2017

Day 1 kicked off with an early rise for all as the bus left promptly at 3.45. It was clear that after such a on early start, the boys really wanted to do the 4 hour walking tour of Berlin! So we refuelled on some much needed currywurst before the tour began and the boys enjoyed trying out their German in the restaurant.
What an excellent tour guide! He showed us the highlights of  Berlin with rich detail about the history. 4 hours is a long time, a big well done to the boys for how well they behavioured and how engaged they were in the tour.

EU Mock Council

On Thursday 17th November, year 13 students, Ben Drewett and Chris Gora, represented Germany in a EU Mock Council debate and Church House in Westminster.  Ben debated the terms under which the UK could remain part of the European Arrest Warrant post-Brexit, whilst Chris negotiated the terms of the UK remaining part of the Erasmus+ programme.  Both students gained first hand experience of the inner workings of the EU commission and the challenges that the EU and UK will face during the Brexit negotiations. 

Berlin day 5

We started off this morning at the German Bundestag and were actually able to see Angela Merkel sitting in the special parliamentary session she called to discuss England's shocking performance in the football last night. Or was it to discuss Brexit? Anyway, after we'd spent a suitable amount of time gawping, we took a boat trip along the Spree soaking up more of Berlin's splendid sun, architecture and history. Post tour we headed back to the now familiar Alexanderplatz for lunch and some last minute shopping before we had to say our goodbyes to Berlin and the sun and head to the airport. Auf Wiedershen Berlin. As always - it's been a delight. 

Berlin day 4

The sun shines on us again and with it rises the consumption of ice cream and slushies once more. We started the day at the DDR Museum before going shopping and having lunch at Alexanderplatz. This afternoon the boys were back in the pool followed by dinner at Maredo at Hackescher Market. This evening the football fans will be watching the match hoping for an England win...

Berlin day 3

Another successful day for the boys in Berlin starting at The Checkpoint Charlie Museum this morning. Lunch at Alexanderplatz was followed by a visit to the Stasi prison Hohenschoenhausen. Dinner was at Revolver Burger at Hackescher Markt before we returned to Transit Loft to watch the Germany match - well some of us. PC Crouch formed a breakaway group.