In July members of the Lower Fifth, alongside pupils from Hampton School travelled to Germany to take part in the return leg of the twenty-second annual exchange with our partner school in Konstanz, the Ellenrieder Gymnasium, and with expectations set high, the 48-strong group, consisting of staff and pupils from both LEH and Hampton, set off for Heathrow on the final day of the summer term. After a comfortable flight to Zürich, we travelled by coach to Konstanz where our host families were duly awaiting our arrival. Pupils headed home with their families, eager to see what the weekend would hold in store.

Monday morning soon arrived, and the first task was to swap stories about  the previous couple of days. The mood in the group was extremely buoyant, which was sadly not reflected in the accompanying weather. Pupils had to do battle with the inclement conditions in order to complete their quiz on the town of Konstanz, the highlight of which for many was climbing the tower of Konstanz’s historic Münster. We were obviously then glad to take shelter in the local town hall where we were officially welcomed to Konstanz by the local mayor. After a brief speech in which both the history of the town and the history of the exchange were both emphasized, we were grateful to receive free drinks and badges of Konstanz’s coat of arms.

The weather, usually so promising at this time of year in Konstanz, then improved marginally for Tuesday’s day-long excursion to Stuttgart. After a coach journey of a couple of hours we arrived at the impressively high-tech Mercedes Benz museum where car enthusiasts and the less knowledgeable thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits with some even taking a simulated drive in Mercedes’ latest models. We were then able to spend a couple of hours in the Stuttgart sunshine lunching and exploring the city centre.

Wednesday was arguably the highlight of the whole exchange for many, the trip to the local activity centre, Lochmühle. Arriving to be greeted by a range of farmyard animals we donned the necessary safety outfits and set about walking across a rope bridge and zip-wiring across a small valley. We were then treated to a good hour of bucking bronco fun, and all seemed to take as much delight in being thrown from the bronco as clinging on for dear life. Special mention must go to Frau Colclough whose tenacity ensured that she remained on board for the duration of her ride – a feat not matched by many.  

Our Thursday excursion was another exciting foray outside of Konstanz, this time to the Rheinfall waterfall. Travelling by train into Switzerland, many were amazed to disembark at a small hill-side railway station and then to walk a small distance to the viewing platform from which the waterfall could be observed at close quarters. We then took a boat trip to the central rock over which the waterfall juts so impressively. We then had a little time to explore the grounds of the waterfall’s neighbouring castle before catching the train back to Schaffhausen where we were able to enjoy lunch and appreciate the beauty of the town, not to mention the Swiss chocolates.

After such a busy week, it was a welcome relief that our programme for the Friday was less frenetic. Catching a local bus again into Switzerland, we spent the morning at the local open-air swimming pool, Hörnli.  Table tennis was also a popular option, and both Mr Tompsett and Mr Lauret took on all-comers with some success.  Returning to school in time for lunch, it scarcely seemed possible that only one afternoon remained before our return to England.

Presents were bought and the final time spent with families. Some were lucky enough to attend farewell parties in the evening, too. But it was with great sadness that Saturday morning arrived and farewells were said.  Much German was spoken and learnt in the course of our stay, and international friendships were certainly cemented for many.

We are extremely grateful to all host families who made us feel so welcome, as well as to the staff at the Ellenrieder Gymnasium who organised such a fantastic programme of events for us. Thanks are also due to the accompanying teachers who did a sterling jobs in overseeing all the fun and excitement: Mrs Croucher (Hampton), Frau Colclough, Mr Lauret and Mr Tompsett. The first leg of the twenty-third exchange will soon be upon us, and I am sure that those who return to Konstanz in July 2008 will enjoy themselves just as much we all did.

Mr Tompsett