02/04/2026
Dunnottar School- DMDC Class 2 Field Trip to Castries City
At Dunottar School, knowledge is more relatable to students through direct, sensory experiences which caters to their diverse and unique learning styles. This principle was at the heart of a field trip undertaken on March 19th, 2026, by the DMDC Class 2 of Dunnottar School. Accompanied by both classroom assistants and by their teachers- Ms. Kristal Mitchel and Mr. Rodney Maxius, a group of four students, including three wheelchair users, embarked on a journey to Castries City. This field trip was not merely a day out but the culminating activity for their unit on local landmarks, designed to transform abstract lessons into a tangible appreciation for their city.
The primary objectives of the trip were to reinforce the students’ knowledge of key historical and cultural sites, provide a real experience of the city’s heritage, and encourage engagement with the community. The carefully planned outing achieved these goals by guiding the students through various areas of Castries. The first stop, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. A short "roll" away, we stopped at the Derek Walcott Square, with the historic Massav tree.
The tour: “rolled" on through Castries as we visited the Central Llibrary. Next we took the grand tour of the vibrant Castries Market. Here, the group got an enthusiastic and animated response from the vendors and visiting tourist. The experience broadened further with a visit to the Governor General’s House, where students explored all accessable areas and were met with unexpected hospitality, from His Excellency the Governor General and the entire staff. The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) stop was very brief. However, the final stop at the View Lookout Point served as a fitting conclusion, offering a panoramic perspective that allowed the students to visually connect the landmarks they had visited and understanding the city’s layout. While there, the students also had the opportunity to use brand new, spacious disabled accessibility washrooms.
In conclusion, the field trip to Castries City was a resounding success. It effectively served as the culminating experience for the DMDC Class 2 unit on local landmarks, bridging the gap between the classroom lessons and real-world observation. This experience allows the students to gain a deeper, more personal connection to their local community and country. The excursion stood as a powerful testament to the value of experiential learning, demonstrating that for students of all abilities, the city itself can be a profound and accessible classroom.
