ner, it offers pupils the opportunity to visit much remark- able Ancient and Renaissance architecture. The balmy weather was perfect for exploring the city on foot and served as much-needed respite from the British winter. Over four days we visited numerous religious sites, in- cluding the Vatican Museum and St Peter’s Basilica. The highlight here was our visit to the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s frescoes in all their resplendent glory. Our other visits, to the Catacombs of St Callixtus and the Colosseum, provided insight into the lives of the earliest Christians and the persecution that they faced. Importantly, there was also an opportunity to sample classic Italian cuisine. Considerable quantities of pasta, gnocchi and tiramisu were consumed, and the touring party also visited the oldest gelateria in Rome. Geography Trip - Lanzarote February 2023 • Cyrus Nayeri During February half-term, the Geography Department took 36 pupils from Years 9 and 10 on a four-day tour of the island of Lanzarote. The pupils experienced Timanfaya National Park where they saw the power of geothermal heat and the breathtak- ing volcanic landscape. They were struck by the power of the Earth and yet how fragile these areas are to destruc- tion by over-tourism. In keeping with the volcanic theme, students were also given a tour of one of the main lava tubes on Lanzarote, Jameos del Agua. These under- ground tunnels are spectacular in their size and provided a fascinating way into learning about volcanic processes,
which ties into the themes that Year 9 are currently learn- ing about in their Geography lessons. Students were also treated to the culture of Lanzarote as they learned about the artist César Manrique, who transformed the island’s volcanic landscape through his architecture. This connected Art and Geography, giving students much to think about in the way that volcanic landscapes can also provide unique spaces for human creativity. Overall, the pupils had a wonderful trip which promoted a deeper understanding of our planet. They made friends and new memories that they would carry forward.
including climbing both Brunelleschi’s dome and Giotto’s campanile. Another highlight was a guided visit of the Uffizi where students marvelled at paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo. The boys also enjoyed sampling some of the most typical food venues. These included a visit to the paninoteca All’Antico Vinaio as well as Il Mercato Centrale, and more than one gelateria . Evening meals also provided the chance to try local specialities including the famous bistecca alla fiorentina . After a fantastic week of all things Florentine, students returned to London with renewed enthusiasm to pursue their Italian studies. Geography Trip - Brussels March 2023 • Cyrus Nayeri An early morning journey on the Eurostar took our group of 19 students from Year 12 straight to Brussels to begin Human Geography work on the EU Quarter and Brussels’ connection to life in Europe. With guid- ed tours around the Grand-Place, the central market square surrounded by guild halls from the 15th century onwards, and the Manneken Pis, an iconic 17th-century bronze statue of a boy, we quickly began to gain a sense of the history and significance of the city. Day two began with a trip to the EU Quarter where we conducted our fieldwork. We surveyed land usage, the mix of services and explored how and why the city centre is changing given trends to work from home. The following day we returned to the EU Quarter for a tour through the EU Parliament, learning how the EU was formed and why it is so essential to the running of Europe. After a brief trip into the Parliament room itself, we returned to the hostel to share our findings from the trip.
First was a tour of a chocolate factory, where, as well as learning much about the making of chocolate, the pupils enjoyed several tastings of chocolate at different stages of the manufacturing process and made their own chocolate bars. The main purpose of the visit, however, was an exhibi- tion charting how Augustus increasingly used statues as propaganda. Examples included statues that had been excavated only recently and which demonstrated how portrayals of the first Roman emperor changed during his reign to increase his popularity. Following the exhibition, pupils visited a Christmas market, where they bought lunch and some souvenirs, and then toured a Soviet era U-Boat. Religion & Theology Trip - Rome February 2023 • Simon Dungate-Jones Over February half-term, 29 students of Religion and Theology visited the city of Rome. With places of historic significance and beautiful churches on almost every cor-
Italian Trip - Florence February 2023 • Toby McPhilemy
The Middle and Upper School Italian students’ visit to Florence took place over the February half-term. The students enjoyed wonderful weather from the moment they landed in Italy. After a short detour from Pisa airport to see the famous Leaning Tower, they arrived in Florence for a week of sightseeing and Italian lessons. Following an introductory lecture about Renaissance Florence, lessons started on Saturday morning. The rest of that day was spent discovering Florence on foot.
On Sunday, there was a day trip to Siena, another beauti- ful Renaissance town in Tuscany famous for its cathedral, the Piazza del Campo and the belltower Torre del Mangia. On their return to Florence, the students spent the rest of the week studying Italian and visiting the city’s many sights. They had 10 hours of lessons in total in a beautiful historic building on the quieter side of the Arno. Apart from lessons, there were visits to Florence’s cathedral,
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THE ALLEYNIAN 711
TRIPS
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