Normandy Tour Update

The trip to France (19/10/10):
I recently led an assembly on the theme that it is those things in life that we have to work hard for, that give us the most satisfaction in life. This trip was certainly not straightforward. A crash and road closure on the A6 meant that we were 45 minutes late in leaving. We made good progress but then we got caught up in the M2 when the road was closed due to an incident on an overarching bridge. All this ensured we were just too late for our ferry. Luckily, like red buses, there is always another one, and we had a decent (if fairly choppy) journey over. Freddie H (looking puzzled as he wandered around the deserted ferry) commented.. “Is it me sir, or is everything moving from side to side?” Emma H also amused us by saying, “I just don’t like this turbulence!” The pupils settled down for a rest and watched the Jungle Book on the big screen on the ferry. Mr Northcott’s version of I’m the King of the Swingers getting the most laughs!

A smooth passage on a beautifully clear morning, along deserted French roads, enabled us to catch up on some more sleep and we arrived at the Chateau at about 10am for a cracking breakfast. This was followed by a gentle morning of unpacking, getting a bit of kip, and exploring the Chateau’s impressive grounds.

The afternoon holds some light rugby and hockey training, and our first fixture against Caen RFC.

Rugby Match v Caen Rugby Club
The boys went off on the first afternoon to play Caen Rugby club – a large club in the heart of Normandy. Given that many had been up for 48 hours, and the French have a habit of putting in boys of 13 with beards and child benefit forms, we were not expecting much. That is of course underestimating the powers of Mr Scothern and Mr Northcott in motivating the team.

An earlier rugby training session boded well and the boys were up for this one. In a hard fought game S. Anselm’s took and early lead but it was pegged back by a large side that refused to play conventional rugby. The limitations placed upon the side by FFR rules meant that we could not hammer home our superior technique in the scrum or out wide with our slick handling. However good rugby won through with some great tries and some ferocious tackling. Tries came in from Will H (3), Alex V, Ben E, Kevin H, & a stunning solo effort from Paddy D who wove his magic and danced through the whole side. There was also a spectacular “almost try” from John W who did all the hard work and went for a spectacular celebratory try action, and dropped the ball. In the end we ran out worth winners 35-25 in a good game. It was particularly fitting that Alex gave his captain’s speech to the assembled crown both in English and French!

Well done for a super first win, and thanks to all those pupils and parents who came to support and cheer on the side. The trip home was spent singing away with Mr Northcott’s song book. A three course meal, followed by some free time and we had some tired children on our hands. Off to bed for pupils and staff alike. Sleep well. More tomorrow!
Simon

Day 2:

Thursday:
After what could only be described as 10 hours of knock out sleep it was a slow start to our Thursday, but a good hearty breakfast got us going. Mr W turned up at breakfast to celebrate Elliott’s birthday, and from then on we knew it was going to be a smashing day. We journeyed under crystal blue skies to the military cemetery when David Eadon Lockwood was buried. The flat countryside hammered home how difficult it must have been to make progress against the entrenched German defence. The fact that the 2000 or so graves in this particular graveyard came from a 2-3 week period in 1944 made their task and success even more amazing.
Parents and pupils gathered around for a short ceremony. Prayers and readings being read by pupils and staff (Lily S, Charlie L, Alex T, Mr Scothern, Mr Eaton and Mr Northcott.

We will remember them.

This was followed by a fact finding exercise in the cemetery that focussed on the pupils getting a feel for the ages and lives of those that gave their lives. Some of the inscriptions on the graves brought tears to one’s eyes, as the human tragedy was really brought home.

From there we stopped off at Bayeux for some free time and R&R. Mr Northcott succumbed to his Achilles heal (or should that be Achilles stomach) and had a cracking patisserie and chocolat chaud. He was ably assisted and abetted by the other staff.

When we got back to the Chateau we had a little R&R time and the girls had a hockey practice in preparation for tomorrow's match at Vire.

This afternoon held leadership and initiative tests in the grounds of the Chateau.

 We also went conker picking in preparation for the All France Championships tomorrow.

This was followed by an early supper and then tenpin bowling.

A great time was had by all. Sadly for Mr Northcott and the staff team Mrs Northcott won theday with a score of 119.

The pupil competition was won by Isaak C and Oli G:

 Day 3:

It was like trying to raise the dead this morning but once up and with a hearty breakfast inside them we set off for Caen market. Each small group or pair had a shopping list of things to get and only 10 Euros to get it with. The onus was on speaking French, negotiation, haggling and getting things for the cheapest price. The team with the most change at the end won the challenge. There were in fact three teams who came in under 6 Euros. In the end and after a stewards enquiry, the winning team of Will A, Alex V, and Freddie H was declared and they duly chomped into their patisserie prize.

The morning had been a huge success, with all groups doing really well. On top of this the coach company had managed to dodge militant protestors burning tyres and trying to stop traffic, and get some fuel to keep us going.

Happy as Larry we set off for Arromanches under a clear crisp blue sky. The D-Day landing beaches looked sensational, if rather more heavily defended than we had imagined. This made their sacrifice and achievement even more admirable. After a lovely lunch during which boys played with rugby balls, and Mr Eaton took a group to learn how to field walk by scouring a newly ploughed nearby field for WW2 artefacts, we assembled for the 360 cinema experience.
This was an amazing afternoon, with images from D Day and the current period intermingled and all in 360! It certainly brought home the experience as much as possible.

We returned to the Chateau to do our last minute preparation for the girls’ first hockey match. The boys went off for a rugby training session on the same pitch that England use when they come to the Chateau. The girls left amid cheers from the boys.

Those few who were injured stayed with Mr Eaton to prepare the conkers for the All France Finals later on tonight.
Clear rules, health & safety guidelines and staff umpires were established before play began – and with that battle then commenced.
Fierce competition followed, with Charlie L seeing off all comers to secure a place in tomorrow’s Grand Final and the official title of ‘S. Anselm’s Year 8 Normandy Tour 2010 Conker Captain’. His obliteration of Will W’s pride and joy in the quarter finals after just 2 hits gives an idea of the skill and precision displayed by many – not just those who eventually reached the final. With the girls still to hold their semi-final playoffs when the winner will eventually play Kevin H in a match to decide our second finalist the entire Tour group waits with baited breath for the result…

The girls had a tough encounter. Not only were the opposition late, but they were male! As a result hearts sank a bit and the girls were a bit out muscled and out performed in the first half. It was also new to them to be playing on a full size astro as an 11 side team. That said the second half was a dramatic improvement. The girls came out fighting and spacially played so much better. The 4-0 scoreline against us was a bit harsh but their finishing was superb, and any mistakes we made were pounced upon. So a good performance, if a disappointing result.

 

Saturday:
The last full day of the tour started gently, with a decent lie in and late breakfast. The teams then had the chance to tidy their rooms and use the games room, or watch sky sports.

This time also afforded us the chance for the girls to play their conker championships. The standard was high and they became really competitive and focused. In the end Lucy R came through to play Kevin in the semi-finals. Kevin won that and played Charlie L in the finals.

We have pre match interviews and a video of the final which I’ll post at a later stage! Kevin won the “paper scissors, stone” game and elected to hit first. After 7 consecutive and heavy hits Kevin was optimistic of success. Suddenly on the 8th direct hit, Kevin’s conker exploded and Charlie started his victory jig around the room. Charlie was therefore proclaimed the “S. Anselm’s Year 8 Normandy Tour Conker Captain”.

As it was pelting down outside we decided not to have any light training sessions, but rather talked tactics. The girls’ side got ready and went off in their fleet of taxis to their tournament in Caen.

The girls played a total of 4 matches against Caen and Vire Hockey clubs. This involved players upto the age of 16, and 80% of them were boys! That said the girls turned up with an excellent attitude and were ready to give it a really good go.
Match 1: drew 1-1 goal scorer Hannah S – unlucky not to win as we had a goal disallowed in the first few minutes of the game.
Match 2: Won 2-1 goals from Chloe R-S and Lily S. Outstanding stick skills as the girls got used to the fast surface, and pace of play.
Match3: lost 1-4 against an older side. Scorer was Chloe R-S. Despite losing we played really well, with the player of the match being Olivia C, whose reactions were laser sharp.
Match 4: lost 0-6 against their best 6 players all of whom were considerably older than our girls. Despite this again our girls battled hard and performed really well. Their stick skills improved all the time and their skill levels really developed over the course of the afternoon.
Finally as if this was not enough the girls played a 40 min match which involved all the sides mixed up – vive la entente cordiale! It was brilliant fun and to see the English holding their own. Many thanks to the host club who gave us great refreshments and to our captain Chloe who gave a speech of thanks in two languages!

The boys then left for their longer journey south, and their tournament. It was made harder to find as the French were digging up the roads but we got there! However once we arrived it transpired that the opposition was under 15, and large and physical. We debated long and hard about what to do. On the one hand we had come all this way, as had the supporting parents who had made epic journeys in most cases. It would be a shame not to play. Some of the boys were up for it too. On the other hand it was technically illegal to play a higher age range (according to RFU guide lines) and we called a team meeting. At this meeting many boys expressed concerns and some clearly did not want to play. Some even broke down, feeling obliged to front up and play, when perhaps they did not really want to. For me this was the final straw and we decided to take the safe option and pull out of the fixture. It is better to all be safe and healthy, despite not playing, disappointing as this is for players and coaches alike.
We will be taking the issue of the sports organisation up with Sportslink when we get back and it has been poor.
The boys took the news very well and got back on the bus.

We have had a great night, watching a DiCaprio film, with Pringles and nibbles, ahead of our supper and awards ceremony. We set off at 6am tomorrow for arrival at about 6.30-7pm in Bakewell.

There is much to commend about this tour. The atmosphere amongst the pupils has been first rate and they have been really positive and helpful. Tours are about finding out more about other people and drawing groups together and this tour has been excellent at that. They have had great fun and they are coming back tired but with smiles on their faces. Have a good half term.
Over and out
Simon