Many students from St. Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel have fond memories of their ‘Manchester trip’. Now, in its 18th year, the Manchester trip has gone from strength to strength, becoming a ‘must do’ event on the list of school experiences for all St. Louis students.

Recently 47 students, accompanied by 5 teachers embarked on this year’s Manchester trip, with the focal point being the Manchester City v Leicester City game at the Etihad stadium. However, the aims of the trip incorporate a lot more than the experience of attending a top premiership game. The students who applied to go on the trip are from different classes and different year groups, affording an opportunity to create new friendships. Students also had the experience of looking after their own budget during the trip, shopping in 2 major retail parks (Cheshire Oaks and Trafford Centre), developing essential life skills for the future.

School trips are always learning experiences but they should also be fun and this trip was packed with fun experiences during the 3 day tour to Manchester. Prior to the match, students were invited to the Manchester City Football Academy to participate in the club’s ‘Family Fun Day’ experience. Participating in football themed activities, bubble football, cage football, ‘Dizzy’ penalty kicks, robot football, as well as face painting and ‘bouncy castles’, students had a fun packed morning before settling down to watch Man City beat Leicester 2-1.

Students enjoyed the Man City game which was feisty and somewhat controversial, with Leicester having a penalty equaliser disallowed due to Mahrez slipping and double tapping his kick. Manchester United fans on the trip, may have endured this win for the sky blues, but they were happy to visit Old Trafford (Theatre of Dreams), home of Manchester United, the following day. Visting United dressing rooms, sitting in the Technical area, as well walking down the player tunnel to a recording of 80,000 fans screaming is always a great experience.

Keeping Year 9 and 10 students engaged in activities is not that easy, but students also enjoyed table quizzes in their hotel in St. Helen’s and Bowling, along with ‘bumper cars’ in the Trafford Centre. Student also got to experience some Welsh culture on their journey home with a brief visit to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch a Welsh village reputed to have the longest name of a settlement in the world.

The great memories of the ‘Manchester 2017’ tour by the St. Louis students will linger long in the minds of these students. As for the teachers, they are already planning ‘Manchester 2018’.

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