Blenheim High School, in Epsom, recently sent students to the capital of Italy (and pizza and pasta too!) for a short educational trip. The short break to Rome was linked to the A.S subject Philosophy and Ethics, aiming to give the group an understanding of the impact the Capital has on religious believers across the world whilst allowing them to experience for themselves exactly why Rome is regarded so highly by so many.
The trip had been planned for months in advance and seemed unlikely to go ahead at all for a while, but after a lot of blood, sweat and tears it was finally booked, with much relief from the staff involved... The trip was highly anticipated and the group agreed that it had exceeded all expectations. On return it was clear that it wasn’t a trip they were likely to forget and other students were very jealous of the opportunity!
The group visited the Vatican, which was especially enthralling, considering the Pope’s announcement of resignation (the first for 600 hundred years), happening a few weeks previously. The trip, therefore coincided just as the rest of the world began talking about Rome’s future and who would be the next head of the Catholic Church. Two students even caught a glimpse of a Cardinal (who will be involved in selecting the next Pope!) so it truly felt that history was being made in front of their eyes!
Even the weather was on their side- with the sun shining brightly every day, beating a cold February half term in Epsom, though locals were outraged explaining ‘February is the coldest month in Rome!’. Fifteen degrees in February – cold?
Other highlights included seeing the Sistine Chapel – the carefully crafted piece of art painted by the renowned Michelangelo astounded the students. Afterwards they made the treacherous journey to the top of the Vatican, which left them breathless not only from the expedition but also from the panoramic views at the top. They also visited the Parthenon, a temple to the gods of Ancient Rome, which is not only the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world but is also where Victor Emmanuel II is buried, which excited the history students who had been studying the Italian Unification in class so couldn’t wait to tell their teacher about the trip as soon as they got back to the class! The group even got the opportunity to visit other historical sites such as the Coliseum – a Roman Amphitheatre, (though got slightly lost on the way...) and visited the Catacombs (Roman burial site) on their last morning, which one student described as ‘eerie yet fascinating’.
There was even time to buy gifts and memorabilia in the many little shops dotted around the city which of course had to include multi-coloured pasta and mushroom pate! On their final night the group explored Rome, visiting the Trevi fountain and making a wish, a suitable ending to the lovely trip.
The trip was a hit for all involved and will hopefully be run again for other students to enjoy learning about the rich culture in the capital of the Roman Catholic Church, and maybe next time they might even get to see the new Pope!
