Year 13

11 May Year 13

At the end of April, the History Department had the pleasure of taking 18 Year 13 students on a trip that had never been done before! First we landed in Rome were we ventured to the Stadio Olympico to discuss Mussolini and the Italian response to him post-war, we walked along the Tiber and then went to see the Egyptian Obelisk. We recreated a chariot race in the dark at the Circus Maximus and viewed the Colosseum at night.  We survived the first full day with eating a lot of pasta, pizza and ice cream!  On our last day in Rome we went to the Vatican to see the Sistine Chapel, we saw the Colosseum in the daylight and explored the ancient ruins of the Forum.

We were up bright and early (with our umbrellas out!) and we then travelled to Berlin. We walked to the Topography of Terror museum and as we walked through the city we saw Nazi and Soviet architecture and also checkpoint Charlie, although with actors in place rather than soldiers!  The traditional German sausage house was a highlight for some on the trip as we had tables near the Oompah band!  On our second day in Berlin we visited the Sachenhausen Concentration Camp and the Wansee Villa where the decision to carry out the ‘Final Solution’ was made.  To conclude the trip, our last day in Berlin included walking to the Brandeburg Gate, Reichstag Building, the memorial to Holocaust victims and the location of Hitler’s Bunker.

18 teenagers and 4 members of staff returned to England very tired but with many stories to tell! A huge thank you to the students as their behaviour, interest and enjoyment during the trip was amazing!  Also a special thank you to Mr McInerney, Mr McFaul and Mr Hayes for their organisation and planning of the trip, it could not have happened without them.

Miss White

History Department