International Travels

Luciana Pastrana Martinez, Year 11, Plenty Campus 

In my opinion, the Battlefields trip was an amazing experience! Every day was full of adventure and learning. Starting in Paris we arrived dreary eyed and tired, but as soon as we hopped on the bus to the city everyone was wide awake and excited to tour around. We visited iconic landmarks such as the Louvre, Palace of Versailles and of course the Eiffel Tower. To me, Paris was magical and an experience I will never forget.  

Following this we ventured to Belgium and visited cities such as Ypres, where the Flanders Fields Museum resides, and received a tour of Bruges by our wonderful tour guide, Dirk. On return to France, we were joined by a very knowledgeable man, Pete, our new tour guide. Pete provided the trip with meaningful insight and information on the places we were going to; to quote Mr Doman “Pete has forgotten more about the Wars than any of us will ever know”.  

A personal highlight of the trip for me were the days when we could venture off to our own restaurants and experience the different cities on our own such as Bruges, Mont St Michel and Paris where we could take in the atmosphere and create our own unique memories at each destination. 

As well as visiting the main cites of France and Belgium, we were also able to build and develop knowledge regarding the history surrounding the battlefields of the World Wars. Throughout the trip we were able to learn about many key dates, events and personal recounts from both World Wars and visit many museums, cemeteries and memorials that put into perspective the ultimate sacrifice that these soldiers gave for their country. Standing in the very places where soldiers once fought and sacrificed their lives gave me a new appreciation for the significance of remembrance days such as ANZAC Day. It helped me understand the depth of courage and commitment shown by Allied soldiers, and the true cost of the freedoms we enjoy today. 

To conclude, the Battlefields trip was far more than just a school excursion, it was an experience of historical understanding and cultural exploration. I walked away not only with unforgettable memories but also with a deeper appreciation for the past and the people who shaped our world. I couldn’t recommend this experience more; it is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

Tom Burgess, Year 10, Ridgeway Campus

The Battlefields trip has to be one of my favourite memories of school so far. It was a two week journey through France and Belgium, packed with visits to towns, historical sites, and museums. It’s fair to say we were busy the entire time! 

We started with a few days in Paris, exploring one of the most beautiful cities in the world and sampling delicious food. From there, we headed into the western countryside, stopping at numerous graveyards and battlefields, each with its own story to tell. One of the most memorable parts of the trip was reaching Ypres, where we attended a deeply moving commemorative service, an experience I’ll never forget. 

As we continued through the French countryside into Belgium, we visited a range of significant memorials, cemeteries, battlefields, and museums, including the Polygon Wood battle site, Messines Ridge, and the Wellington Caves. Eventually, we made our way to the French coast to learn about the D Day landings, one of the most pivotal operations in Allied history, by exploring several landing sites and related museums. 

On the second to last day, we visited Mont St Michel, a place rich in history and culture, and of course, amazing food! By the time we returned to Paris, some of us were nodding off to sleep, others still chatting excitedly, and many quietly reflecting on all we had seen and learned. 

Overall, the friendships I made and the memories from this trip made it an absolute highlight of my school experience. I would do it all again in a heartbeat if I had the chance. 

Harry Sze, Year 11, Ridgeway Campus 

The 2025 Ivanhoe China Trip to Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai was an astounding and unforgettable experience which left a mark on the teachers and students’ lives. The rich immersion into China’s culture, history, food and more was second to none and provided me with lasting memories of our jam-packed adventure. 

We first experienced Beijing’s most famous historical attractions, including Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, and the Great Wall of China, all of which were truly astonishing. We did multiple activities such as Taichi lessons, face-painting, and playing fun games with the friendly locals. We then ventured to Xi’an, where we encountered the thousands of terracotta warriors, which was an amazing sight to behold. We partook in various activities such as Chinese calligraphy, dressing up as traditional Chinese folk, and befriending new Chinese students from a local Xi’an school. Getting to know these students was an amazing experience and exploring how they live their lives in China was interesting and impressive. Finally, in our last city in China; Shanghai, we rose to the top of China in Shanghai Tower, enabling us to witness the grand view of the city. We then went to the A.P. market where we were able to buy clothes, toys, souvenirs, and more for ourselves and our family, allowing us at home to reminisce the beautiful memories we made on the school’s first China trip since 2019.