On behalf of a few unwell students, I offer sincere apologies to the kind residents of Valencia for any, shall we say, unwelcome additions to your pavements and public spaces. We did our utmost to clean up, and we’re incredibly grateful to the selfless strangers who appeared with cleaning materials, tissues, and even a much-needed glass of water. You were a godsend—your kindness and generosity did your city proud.
Thankfully, the students in question made a full recovery. I’ll spare the reader the finer details in order to protect their dignity!
Although in the grand scheme of things, such incidents are relatively minor, they serve as a stark reminder of just how essential it is to plan for every eventuality when taking students away from home. While most school trips pass without major incident, when things do go wrong, it’s the careful planning and teamwork & experience amongst staff that ensures the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
Most families will only ever see the highlights: the smiling group photos, the sightseeing, the learning.
What many don’t see is the mountain of preparation that takes place long before a suitcase is packed. Risk assessments, liaison with County trip coordinators, medical planning, insurance, finances, transport and accommodation bookings, parent briefings, staff training, contingency plans—the list is endless. And all of it is done with one goal in mind: to give students enriching, memorable experiences while keeping them safe.
I want to shine a light on the extraordinary dedication of teachers and school staff across the land who give up evenings, weekends, and often sleep, to make these opportunities possible. Behind every exciting itinerary is a team of adults quietly carrying the weight of responsibility so that students can learn, grow, and discover the world beyond the classroom.
I don’t write this for public praise. But a quiet word of thanks or recognition goes a long way. Knowing the effort is seen and valued makes those long days (and nights) feel worthwhile.
To the parents and communities who support us: rest assured, your children are always in the best possible hands. Your words of thanks make a difference. And to my fellow colleagues: thank you for all that you do.
