Over the Easter Break, the history team took 40 year 11 students to Berlin. It was an unforgettable experience, packed with history, culture, and memorable moments for both students and staff.
We began our journey bright and early on Saturday morning, travelling from school to London Heathrow Airport before flying to Germany’s capital. After arriving in Berlin and settling into the MEININGER Hotel Berlin Tiergarten, students enjoyed their first evening with a group dinner at an Italian restaurant.
Sunday was a deeply reflective day as we visited the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum. A guided tour gave students a powerful insight into the experiences of those imprisoned there during the Holocaust. Later, we explored the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial (former Stasi Prison), learning about life in East Germany under surveillance. These visits encouraged thoughtful discussion.
On Monday, students had a busy day sightseeing some of Berlin’s most famous landmarks and historical sites. We visited the Berlin Wall Memorial and the vibrant East Side Gallery, where history meets modern street art. A guided walking tour of the city provided further context, followed by a visit to the Reichstag Building, home of the German Parliament. Lots of souvenirs were bought along the way. The day ended on a lighter note with dinner out and an enjoyable evening of bowling, though it must be said some students and staff were far better at this than others!!
On our final day, we had a tour of the Olympic Stadium which was built by Hitler for the 1936 Olympics. We had a tour that taught us about the history of the stadium, from a Nazi monument to a lively concert and sports venue today. We got to see behind the scenes in the VIP area, changing rooms, and even stepped on to the track. Exhausted and ready for home, we headed back to the airport for home.
The trip was a fantastic opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of 20th-century history whilst soaking up some of the cultural aspects of Berlin.
Mrs Braidwood – Deputy Leader of History
“Berlin was such an amazing, impactful and life-learning trip. We visited places such as Stasi, the Berlin Wall, concentration camps and much more, the most memorable trip of my time at DHS and would 100% go again in my later life.” Maddie in year 11
“I really enjoyed the Berlin trip, seeing new things and learning new things was very enjoyable and the experience was a real eye opener.” Jude in year 11
“I had so much fun, every day was jam packed with different activities. I also learnt so much different information, it was probably the best trip I have been on.” Ella in year 11
