Day 5 - Homecoming & Thank you

We awoke in Calais considerably earlier than planned thanks to our drivers and a distinct lack of traffic!

We were put on an earlier ferry so that we could get back to school to unload.
The crossing was ideal and very calm. Students had some breakfast and then chilled out in the lounge or up on top deck.

The white cliffs quickly approached and before we knew it we were pulling into port

Rufus and Chris kept us entertained with their harmonica skills (see youtube.com/missdurbanmusic) as we pulled into Balham.

We quickly unpacked the trailer as the students were picked up an hour ahead of schedule.

This is a chance for the teachers to say 'Thank You'. Thank you to the drivers and tour company and thank you to the teachers for giving up their holidays to accompany us on tour but the biggest thank you goes to you and your children.

Your children were an absolute pleasure to be around. They did the school proud and there was never a moment where they were anything but exceptional representatives. The local community loved their performances and commented on how polite and smiley they were. Even the border guards at the crossing this morning commented on how patient and calm they were and said 'thank you for being so good'. We were truly blown away by their enthusiasm and love of learning, they wanted to speak the language, know about the mountains, understand the culture and understand as much about their surroundings as possible and this love of learning will stand them in good stead in the future.
Alongside this we found their maturity and acceptance of each other to be another thing to be proud of. It's not easy to be thrown together with 39 other students for such a long period of time, but the students conducted themselves well and sorted out their differences in a mature and civilised manner.
Performing Arts teaches the importance of teamwork, resilience and positivity. Your children displayed these qualities in abundance and we are truly lucky to have such a great group as part of the Performing Arts family at Chestnut Grove. We were immensely proud of your children on this tour and look forward to working with them over the year in the coming performances. Thank you for making this tour possible, your children are wonderful but they wouldn't be here without you.

Thank you
Ms Durban & the team

Day 4 - the long and winding road

Breakfast at 9am

Then some of us took a short stroll down the mountain to Wagrain for some last minute shopping. The weather was lovely again and we popped into a local Bakerai and saw a local craftsman at work creating beautiful wood cuttings and decorations.

We saw some lovely local architecture and really enjoyed the steep climb back up to the hotel. Just what we needed to clear our minds before packing our rooms.

Meanwhile, at Oberwimm, students were burning off some energy on the trampolines and in the ball room. We held a trampolining competition and then it was on to tidy rooms and pack up. 

Congratulations to the year 10 girls (Xena, Tanisha and Yana) for having the tidiest room! It looked like you'd hoovered and everything!

Finally it was time to pack up and get on the coach. We were really sad to leave Oberwimm at the end of such a successful tour.

We stopped off in Ausberg, Germany for dinner and students had a last minute run around and some even tried some Currywurst. Now off to bed on the coach and we should be waking up in France!

Guten Abend, Gut Nacht!

Day 3 - Salzburg and Fuschlseebad

And so, on to Salzburg!

We left the hotel and took the road down the mountain into Salzburg. As snow gave way to grassy fields we were astounded by the magnificent beauty of the mountains.
We walked into the centre of Salzburg and went to Mozart's birthplace. This was full of interesting facts about the great composer and our students learnt about his parents, childhood and his life as a composer. Many asked lots of insightful questions and seemed very interested in the stories they heard.

We then gave the students some free time to explore Salzburg and go souvenir shopping. They looked around the old town and marvelled at the sheer amount of Mozart memorabilia! The weather was wonderful and we all ended up in t-shirts as it was so warm!

We then walked along the river to the Mirabel gardens. After some exploring we had a photoshoot (thank you Oliver for bringing your ukelele) and recreated the photos from the film The Sound of Music. Including running through the rose arches!

After our trip into Salzburg we made the short trip to Fuschlseebad for our final concert. We sang our way to the venue and quickly set up the instruments. 

The students were amazed at the setting as 'it looks like a Caribbean island'!

As the sun set behind the mountains we began the performance. It was absolutely wonderful and the audience loved it. Big thanks to Alfie Linehan for starting the conga!

Chris Sinclair also did a marvelous job of leading the Samba band.

Overall it was definitely the best concert we performed. Well done everyone! We went out with a bang!

Back to the hotel for snacks and trampolining!

Breakfast at 9am tomorrow

Day 2 - the saltmines!

After a hearty breakfast of meats, cheeses, rolls and muesli we set off to the famous Saltmines. A special mention must to to Ollie Mozley for his outstanding cleaning skills at the dinner table. He has gone over everyone's tables to ensure we are maintaining the good impression we have already made on the hotel staff.

We travelled just over the border into Germany and waited to change into our overalls. After laughing at each other for looking somewhat like the Michelin Man we took an underground train to the start of the tour! Our students sang their way through the spooky tunnels as we emerged into the cavernous mine.
The tour consisted of lazer light displays and projections to teach the children about the way in which salt is mined and the history of the mine. We learnt about the structure of salt crystals and its chemical properties. If salt comes up in GCSE chemistry this year then they will be sorted (or, 'salted' as Ms Durban put it! Cue Keanu and Rufus rolling their eyes and groaning!).
The students travelled on an underground mirror lake and flew down two traditional slides at great speed, it was amazing fun and we all wanted a second go!
After a little look around the shop and buying some pictures (which will be uploaded here later) we emerged into the daylight and went to eat our lunch. We had a marvelous time. I travelled to the saltmines myself when I was 14 and it has stayed with me to this day. I hope that it will be the same for the students.

We then travelled back for a very early dinner (4:30pm!) and it was on to Bad Vigaun for our second performance. The room was huge and so set up was great. The students performed brilliantly and we even had the crowd up and dancing at the end (with some of our students too)! One lady even asked where we were performing tomorrow night so that she could bring her son and daughter.
Bad Vigaun is a spa town and there were people walking to a from massages and treatments, not much goes on at night so we were welcomed with open arms. The students raised lots of money which we then used to get pizza on the way home as a well deserved (and much needed) second dinner!
A little mention here goes to our drivers Tony and Danny. They are wonderful and have supported us whole heartedly at our gigs. Thanks Guys. As the students were chanting 'We love you Drivers, we do, we love you drivers, we do, we love you drivers, we do, OOOO drivers we love you!'

Once back at the hotel it was time for a little debrief (and a reminder about the clocks) and off to bed.

Roll on Salzburg, breakfast at 8:30 (or is that 7:30....?)

Day 1

Breakfast at 8 and off to Hohenwerfen castle!
Fabulous scenery, interesting stories, Euan stretched on a rack and Ollie nearly taken out by an Eagle at the falconry display!! (It was actually miles above him but he had a little panic and ended up sat on the floor!)

We went up the funicular and climbed up the bell tower, it was a great day out and we were thoroughly exhausted by the walk.

We then went off to the first concert of the day.

We set up really quickly and had a lovely reception from the audience at the SeniorHeim. Our concert went very well and we even got to perform Thriller as we were running early!

After a quick sojourn around the town we came back to the hotel for a snowball fight! The teachers were bombarded by snowballs 'in revenge for the homework we set'.... it hurt..... quite a lot!

All children are eating well and we think it's down to the wonderful food they are used to at school as they are not picky eaters! The food is lovely here and the students are clearing plates and wiping down tables (parents take note!).

We have been really proud of the students so far, they have been very patient and eager to learn about the local culture.

Looking forward to travelling to the saltmines tomorrow and performing in Bad Vigaun

Breakfast at 8:30!

Tchuss!

Team Performing Arts

We have arrived!!!!