What a trip!!

On Wednesday, Ms  Garrett and Ms O’Donovan with eight second year students flew to London, Stansted. All spent three days in the racing town of Newmarket, home to Godolphin headquarters.

Day one was spent punting in Cambridge hearing all the history of the river Cam and Cambridge city. 

Day two was an action packed day watching the horses morning exercise on the beautiful Warren Hill. Richard Spencer, a well known horse trainer spoke with the students and gave us a tour of his yard. Students showed great enthusiasm and affection towards the horses. We were then brought to the National HorseRacing Museum. Students enhanced their racing ability by practicing on a racehorse simulator. We toured the grounds on Dalham Hall Stud owned by Godolphin. Students learned about the logistics of breeding, met very famous stallions, Dubawi was the star of the day. Both St. Paul’s and Newmarket students dined together in Dalham Hall. The UK and Irish students mixed and bonded exceptionally well.

The pony academy was next in the British Horse Racing School. Here the students gained hands-on practical experience in horse grooming and care. An experience enjoyed by all.

We then came back to our hotel where students dressed up for the races at the local Newmarket race track. Godolphin again, kindly entertained us in their box. St. Paul’s students presented race prizes to the winning jockey, trainer and owner for the 6.20 pm race. A moment and memory for life. 

Day three was spent experiencing the UK educational system. Students did a class in photography, digital learning and printing at the Newmarket Academy.

Teachers, students, parents and the management at St. Paul’s are extremely grateful to Godolphin Kildangan Stud for supporting and facilitating this initiative. This initiative has certainly improved the social and personal wellbeing of all students and families involved. The students were a true credit to St. Paul’s.

We wish to thank Penny Taylor ( Godolphin, UK), Ciara Devitt ( Godolophin, Kildangan), Neil Fisher & Tiffany Turner ( teachers at Newmarket Academy) for the organization, hospitality, experiences and memories that you created for all students of St. Paul’s.