MEMBERS of staff on a Queen Elizabeth's Academy Enrichment Week trip to France have been praised for the way they handled a diffi cult situation, after 17 students were struck down by a bug. One of the students on the venture to Disneyland Paris was so unwell after the vomiting bug that she fl ew home, when able, with one of the members of staff on the trip. Rupert Poole, principal designate, said: "I am really proud of the way our staff handled the situation and got everyone home safely." Mr Poole said that the students began to be sick on the journey to France and staff also became unwell. He said one member of staff stayed up all night caring for students even though she was feeling unwell herself. Mr Poole, who will take up the position of principal at QE in September, said that the extreme temperatures in Paris and at Disneyland did not help matters with temperatures reaching 33 degrees and, at times, hotter in Paris. Medical treatment was obtained from a hospital in Paris for some of the students but they were all able to visit the tourist attraction. "It was a shame but all, including the staff, were back to full fi tness by the time they were coming home. "It could best be described as 'challenging' for the teachers concerned." It was not believed that the illness was food related. A different coach trip to Paris, mainly sightseeing, as part of the same Enrichment Week was delayed coming home. The air conditioning on the coach broke down and the coach was unable to continue in the hot conditions until a replacement coach was found. The delay resulted in the late arrival back to Crediton of the students and staff on this venture. Alan Quick