Italy Tour 2024

Tomorrow, this group of students along with Cinzia, Barbara`, Shona, Allison and Graham head off for the Italy Tour for 2024 to enhance their language and cultural awareness. Students are all decked out in their jackets designed by them. We look forward to hearing all about it on their return. 

From Lara Parker re the Italy Study Tour 2024 Information Night:

Hello everyone. On the 6th of March the Italian travel group had an information night. The students as well as the parents were invited, and we had a delicious pasta dinner prepared for us. We had it with Napoletana and Bolognese sauces. We also had a choice of plain, butter pasta. 

A few students stayed back after school to help with the preparation of food and tables, as well as name tags. 

Everyone else arrived at 5:30 for the presentation in the Auditorium where Jenny from ‘World Strides’ spoke with us about travelling tips and essentials. Then each teacher that will be on the trip with us had a chance to introduce themselves to the parents/carers.

Shona, Cinzia and Reg, told us a bit of information we needed to know about the trip, and Barbara was able to show us the jackets we are taking with us. Graham spoke to us about the medical aspects of our trip. We were able to collect a booklet filled with the itinerary, a packing list and different sayings in Italian that may help us while in Italy. 

At the presentation we collected our plane tickets for our 14-hour flight to Dubai and then our 6 hour flight to Rome. After the presentation, we made our way up to the F-block, where we ate our delicious selection of pastas, prepared kindly by Barbara. We also had some gelato, left over from our Gelato Day, that a few of our students served. During the dinner, students had a chance to talk with our fellow peers, and the teachers had a chance to chat and get to know our parents/carers.

The night was a great opportunity for everyone that attended to get to know who’s coming with us and help prepare us for our Italian trip. 

The first stop for the students and teachers of the 2024 Italy Study Tour will be Rome, which was one of the most expansive and influential empires in the world. The students will find themselves overloaded by the sheer amount of history that rests in every street and courtyard in Rome. They will be going on walking tours that will show them the Vatican City which is home to St. Peter’s Basilica and the beautiful square and if they’re lucky they might even visit the Vatican Gardens. It is the smallest country in the world (with an area of 0.49 km2) and the different cathedrals and churches that reside there. They will also be visiting the other sights of Rome that make it a huge tourist attraction today.

The students will also be going on a guided tour of the Colosseum, an ultimate symbol of Rome. They will learn about the different forms of entertainment that was held there, such as battles between gladiators, to naval battles when they would fill the arena with water, as well as the massacring of exotic creatures. The Colosseum was a huge structure, built almost 2000 years ago by the emperor Vespasian. The Colosseum could seat 50,000 to 80,000 people but it was so well organised that it could be completely emptied within 15 minutes. 

Students will also get to experience Good Friday in Rome with all the festivities and travellers who are heading to the catholic centre of the world!

 Rome is bound to be one of the favourites of the entire tour!

Levin Burtscher

Year 8

Venezia:

Venice was founded in 697, after the decline of the Roman empire. It was chosen as a residence for people escaping Germanic invasions as the small islands were difficult to reach and easy to defend. The Republic of Venice lasted until 1797. Something Venice is known for is its bridges, of which there are over 420. Some of the most well known include the Rialto Bridge and Bridge of Sighs, or Ponte dei Sospiri, which was called that by Lord Byron in the 19th century after it was suggested that prisoners passing over it would sigh over their final view of Venice before being taken down to their cells. 

Zoe Fitzpatrick, Year 11

Sorrento:

Sorrento was first founded by the ancient Greeks in the 5th century BC before the Romans later moved in. It is a coastal town in southwestern Italy, facing the Bay of Naples on the Sorrentine Peninsula. The superb coastal town is known for its breathtaking views, as well as their speciality in growing lemons. You may find them in many dishes sweet or savory in Sorrento such as gelato, roasted alongside meats and vegetables, otherwise zested over pasta. The earliest history of Sorrento shows that the town took its name from the sirens. The sirens were said to be mythical creatures of the sea that seduced sailors with their lovely voices and then lead them to their death. Nowadays, these ancient stories are what make Sorrento, Italy so charming and magical. 

Sorrento is a charming town that captivates visitors with its beauty and history. With its colourful buildings cascading down cliffs overlooking the sparkling waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Sorrento offers breathtaking views at every turn. The streets are lined with quaint cafes, gelaterias, and shops selling local crafts and souvenirs. Visitors can wander through the narrow cobblestone streets or explore historic sites such as the Cathedral of Sorrento. With its rich culture, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality, Sorrento is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the wonders of Italy.

By Grace Clarke and Lucy Galpin Year 10