This is the sixth trip students from the two Upper Hunter high schools St Catherine’s and St Joseph’s Aberdeen have had the opportunity to experience these historic places. 

However, on this occasion it coincided with Anzac Day commemorations so they were privileged to lay wreaths at each service on behalf of both schools at the site of famous World War 1 Western Front battles.

And, where the students’ reflected on the difficulties that soldiers – often of their own age group – would have experienced. 

Supervising teacher, St Catherine’s Terry Holstien says it was a voyage that offered more than the knowledge that could be gained from a textbook.

“It offered students a means to experience the physical conditions the soldiers of World War I had encountered and for some the chance to find an ancestors’ grave fulfilled the need to know where they lay,” she says.

“The group continued their tour into Germany where the group visited Dachau and Sachenhausen concentration camps enabling students to empathise with the horrific conditions prisoners had to endure and presenting a rare insight into one of history’s darkest chapters.”

She says the remnants of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and Otto Weidt’s Workshop further accentuated the conditions experienced by Jews during the Holocaust.

All students agreed that it was an experience they would never forget.

Cullen says we were fortunate to have the opportunity to represent our school at such significant international events.

“We made many unforgettable memories,” he says

While Zoe says she will be forever grateful to have been able to explore this beautiful part of the world.

“We visited amazing places,” she says.