7 minute read
Geography
Iceland Trip for miles. We were actually sitting on a volcano, able to see interlocking spurs in real life. We were learning about glaciers and volcanoes, while looking at a glacier and sitting on a volcano. It was surreal.
During the Easter holidays, girls from Year 10 to Year 12 arrived at Heathrow Airport at the Iceland Air desk. After the nicest 2-hour flight in which we had touchscreen TVs, free drinks and lots of leg room, we arrived in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.
Of course, we couldn’t go to Iceland without going to the Blue Lagoon. Situated in a lava field, this geothermal spa is fed warm water filled with minerals like silica. It has a reputation for aiding people with skin conditions such as psoriasis, but also for making your skin smooth and blemish free. After getting off the plane we drove straight there and headed to the changing rooms. Now, this was the traumatic bit. We found out that in Iceland people are very...comfortable being naked. In fact, it was a requirement to shower without a swimsuit before. It’s safe to say that there were a lot of giggles.
We all were excited about the free drink and face mask we could get! It was slightly creepy swimming next to people who had white and grey goo dripping off their faces, combined with the occasional whiff of sulphur.
One of the worst parts of the trip was also the best part. We had to walk up an extinct volcano for 20 minutes at a 90 degree angle. We nearly died. Once we got up to the top we took a long, long break to catch our breath. Once we were out of the danger zone of an asthma attack, the view hit us. We had a panoramic view right from the ice cap of Eyjafjallajökull, across the black flood plain to the navy sea. We could see
These were just two of our favourite parts of the trip, but more memories were made from walking behind the Justin Bieber waterfall, going to the famous black beach in Vík and walking between the North American plate and the Eurasian plate. But, most importantly, we will miss our tour guide and expert teacher for the trip, Guy.
Loula Omaar, Year 12
Year 11s Conquer South Wales
In September, all Year 11 GCSE Geography students spent three days at the Margam Field Centre near Port Talbot. We began on the beach looking at the different stages of sand dune formation. Despite a sudden downpour, we managed to collect our measurements along the beach and see how the sand dunes developed. Over the last year we had learnt about the conditions required for a sand dune to form, but being able to see a perfect example of these conditions and be immersed in the environment made these landforms more than just theory. The next day we went to five points along the River Ogmore to see how the river changed along its course. We started in the upper course by a waterfall and ended by the beach at the mouth of the river. Along its short course the river runs along different rock types, which affects its rate of erosion.
We spent our last evening playing cards and listening to music in the common room. The next morning we packed our bags and said goodbye to Adam the stag (the centre is located within a beautiful 850-acre country estate, home to more than 600 deer).
We then made our way to the seaside town Porthcawl to collect our last set of data. However, our information was skewed by the large number of Elvis impersonators attending an Elvis festival going on in the town. The festival amplified the effects of tourism on this coastal town but it did make our data easier to collect, as well as making our time in the town a lot more memorable! Thank you to Mr Livings, Ms Parr and Mr Lezak for organising such a great trip. It helped us to apply the theory we have learnt and gave us a chance to practise collecting and interpreting data.
Shivani Dave, Year 11
GUESS THE FLAG ANSWERS
1. Argentina, 2. Australia, 3. Belgium, 4. Finland, 5. Iran, 6. Mexico, 7. Panama 8. Peru, 9. Poland, 10. Russia, 11. Serbia, 12. Switzerland Bonus - They were all in the 2018 Football World cup
1. How would you describe yourself in three words?
Outgoing, Adventurous and Practical.
2. What is the wildest thing you’ve ever done?
Wild camping on Vancouver Island and coming across a black bear.
3. Top places you hope to travel to before you die?
The Galapagos Islands and northern Scandinavia to see the Northern Lights.
4. What would be your desert island necessities?
A football and a good book like ‘Prisoners of Geography’... which evidently I would be.
5. What’s your favourite type of rock?
Brighton Rock. It tastes much better than other types of rock.
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1. How are you finding NHEHS so far?
I love it here. I am so grateful that I get to spend my days with such inspiring young people. It helps that the staff at NHEHS make a wonderful team.
2. What do you think is the biggest difference between UK and US education?
I think the biggest difference is that the UK focuses much more on examinations but the US is more centred on coursework. Also, British students are definitely more on-time with their homework.
3. Who/what inspires your bowtie collection?
Ah… you’ve noticed the bowties. The collection is inspired by my father, who was inspired by his father. Sidney Lezak – my grandfather – wore bowties in Portland, Oregon (my hometown) at a time when the city was small enough that he developed a reputation for them. I don’t think I’ll be able to replicate his success here in London, but it won’t stop me from trying.
4. What is your most embarrassing teacher moment?
I was once telling a Year 12 Geography class about Vietnamese food – specifically, a kind of Vietnamese soup
Guess the Flag
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with a name that sounds like a word that has no business in a classroom. (I think it was something to do with my accent.) My students were aghast, and I had no idea why until one of them asked me, “You got WHAT?”
5. If you could adopt any animal, what would it be and what would you name it?
I think a pet wolf would make a nice companion, especially out in the mountains. I imagine I would name it Raven: a reference to the Native American trickster who is always getting into trouble, but making it work out in the end.
6.Who is your geographical idol?
I think I have to give two: Marco Polo, who left everything in the 13th century to go on a crazy adventure to Asia. Donna Haraway, who in the last 30 years has turned all of geography upside-down, and practically reinvented the entire discipline (and made it much more exciting).
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