The recent Turing trip to Canada was a fantastic success, providing pupils with a rich and memorable educational experience across multiple locations.
The trip began in Niagara, where pupils had the opportunity to explore the breathtaking Niagara Falls. This included an insightful visit to the power stations to understand the engineering and energy production behind the falls, as well as the unforgettable “Journey Behind the Falls” experience. A particular highlight was Niagara Takes Flight, which gave pupils a unique aerial perspective and deeper appreciation of the geography and natural beauty of the area.
Following this, the group travelled to Montreal, where the focus shifted towards science, culture, and university life. Pupils visited the Planetarium, where they engaged with interactive exhibits and shows exploring space and astronomy. This was complemented by a trip to the Biodome, allowing pupils to experience a range of ecosystems from across the Americas (including visiting habitats for sloths, penguins and more), and a visit to the Science Museum, where hands-on learning (and playing) further enriched their understanding. Pupils also visited Montreal’s insectarium, where they experienced life as an insect and walked amongst butterflies (with some pupils being incredibly popular as a landing site).
A particular highlight during the Montreal leg of the trip was a visit to Parc Omega, where pupils experienced Canadian wildlife up close. This provided a unique opportunity to observe animals in a naturalistic environment and added an exciting outdoor dimension to the trip, as well as giving pupils the opportunity to feed deer and elk out of the window of their yellow school buses!
Another memorable experience was the visit to a traditional maple syrup farm, where pupils learned how maple syrup is produced. Pupils fully embraced the experience, sampling a wide range of traditional breakfast dishes featuring maple syrup – including maple sausages, omelettes and beans. This was thoroughly enjoyed by all and, unsurprisingly, resulted in a definite sugar high across the group!
Cultural experiences were also a key part of the trip. Pupils embraced local cuisine by trying traditional poutine (chips, gravy and cheese curds), which proved to be a popular highlight. In addition, a visit to McGill University provided valuable insight into higher education opportunities abroad, giving pupils a glimpse into university life in an international context.
Throughout the trip, the pupils from all 8 schools were exceptional and represented our Trust amazingly. Their behaviour, engagement, and curiosity were consistently praised, and they approached each activity with enthusiasm and maturity. Please do ask them about their experiences!
