03-03-2025
Salt mines and Birkenau tour among school's Krakow trip activities
A group of 39 Year 11 students from Millthorpe School have returned from an educational trip to Krakow.
The trip, which took place from February 13 to February 16, commenced - after arrival in the Polish city - with a reminder by assistant principal Adam Baybutt about the outbreak of World War Two.
On the first full day, the students visited the Galicia Museum and browsed its collection before meeting Monika Goldwasser, a Holocaust survivor.
The students also visited Schindler's factory, where students learned about the impact of the occupation on Krakow; and paid a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mines - where after descending hundreds of stairs they tasted the mines' salt, by licking the walls.
On Saturday, February 15, the group took a guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The trip concluded with a visit to Park Wodny, Poland's largest indoor water park, and some free time in Krakow Main Square - where "they were encouraged to try more local cuisine rather than McDonalds, and not buy any tat."
Mr Baybutt said: "I cannot put into words how proud I am of our amazing students.
"Their conduct on the trip was exemplary, but reading their reflections left me with tears in my eyes.
"They are a credit to their parents and carers, and to us."
Testimonials from students included that of J V-S, who said: "I've realised how important it is to stand up to bad things before they get too big.
"I'll definitely take on my lessons learned, and I am so grateful for this experience."
