Visits & Exchanges

Visits and Exchanges

Arran Field Trip 2016

Early on a Saturday morning we gathered at York station with our bags full to the brim ready for our long journey to Arran. However, we had a rough start because of major delays with trains which caused us to be rushing between platforms to get to our next train. We were eventually allowed to have our lunch on the ferry and finally it felt like we were almost there. On arriving at Brodick we loaded our bags and ourselves onto the bus, and finally after a long twisty bus ride we had arrived.

The following day after a nice hot breakfast and a good sleep, we went for a trek up the hillside learning about the history of Arran and the wildlife (especially the midges!). In the afternoon out in the pouring rain we did fieldwork in different ecosystems. On return to the centre, dripping from head to toe, we discovered another school had arrived. We warned them of what Arran had to throw at them as if we were locals!

Also, now that Mrs Tooby-Smith had arrived, the majority of the boys were up at the crack of dawn for a five-mile run before breakfast. However, all the girls naturally stayed snoring in their beds. The next few days were spent discovering the island by walking around a glacial valley and visiting the rural communities of Arran whilst doing some data collection. We were even lucky enough to stop off at the Co-op to stock up on snacks and sweets!

Early on the cold Wednesday morning, we got up to do our saltmarsh study. Despite having to get up extra early because of the tide timings, the boys still went for their 6 am run. Again, the girls showed no inclination to get up and join in.

A basic breakfast set our mood for the whole day for the main investigation of the saltmarsh succession, although that all changed when Chris (our resident tutor) arrived with trays of fresh, hot bacon butties, which gave us the energy we needed to storm through our investigation.

Luckily we were able to negotiate the afternoon off away from Beth (our main tutor) and the classroom because of our early

start, and we headed down to the local whisky distillery. We had a tour, tasting and an education from Jenny Elliott, the local ‘whisky connoisseur’. As we waited at the centre for Mrs Tooby-Smith and Mr Hall, they finally came back carrying three bottles of whisky for the night! Or were they presents? Despite our negotiating skills we still had lessons after dinner, presenting and analysing our data. However, we were supplied with chocolate ‘energy’ bars from Mr Hall and an intense Pilates session from Mrs Tooby-Smith.

On our last day we left the centre full of enthusiasm knowing that we were just going to take a scenic hike along the west coast of the island. However, Beth surprised us with one last data collection session at Catacol Bay. We measured stone size and roundness up and along the pebbly beach up and along the shore. Once that was over, we set off on our six-mile hike to Blackwaterfoot. We stopped along the way to take field sketches, go cave walking, and even had an alien gravestone-building competition. Once we got back to the centre, we all had a quick shower before heading out on the local bus to the Catacol Bay Hotel for our final pub meal. At this point we reflected our time on the island, talking about the best bits and all the new friends we had made. We said our thanks to Beth and Greg before trekking the three miles back to the centre one last time, whilst doing the ‘midge dance’. Our final night in our common room was spent bonding as a group playing card games and getting very close and personal (Charlie Corner and Sam Appleby). This ended our trip to Arran perfectly, giving us a great start to the A-level course for next year.

Once back in the classroom on Monday morning we realised we had actually left some of our beach data on the island – oh dear!

We would like to say a big thank you to the teachers (Mrs ToobySmith, Mr Bowden, Mr Hall and Miss Schaffer) who gave up their time to make our amazing trip possible and worthwhile.

Ella Day and Will Fryer, LVI

Pompeii and Rome 2015

Despite the unsociably early departure from St Peter’s, as we arrived at the airport excitement began to build. Upon arriving in Italy, we soon made our way to Herculaneum. The combination of brilliant weather and an ancient atmosphere led to much enjoyment as we explored the site, where we saw copious amounts of fascinating ruins which were the result of the eruption of 79AD: the skeletons in the boatsheds gave a particularly vivid idea of the human cost of the tragedy. Here and throughout the trip Mr Noy Scott, and the other teachers – Miss Jones, Mr Vann, Miss Matts and Miss Pearson – were full of knowledge surrounding the history of the places we visited. Having stayed in a bustling hotel in Sorrento, we took a ferry across the water to the island of Capri, where we had lots of fun by visiting the Villa Iovis, a place which required a lot of energy from the group as we had to trek along the rough path for quite some time. Despite our tiredness, we were often spurred on by Mr Noy Scott who insisted that walking was always the best way to get around. After an unforgettably vivid account of the imperial lifestyle on the island from Mr Vann, we returned to the town and were given time to go shopping and to purchase some souvenirs. When we arrived in Pompeii the next day, we spent most of the time exploring the large site of ruins and remains. Many of us hadn’t quite realised the grand scale of the merchant town, so visiting the place gave us all a better understanding of the Roman era. There were a number of us who were eager to see things such as the Forum and the famous houses of the Vetti and the Faun. The Forum was in much better condition than one would expect, as well as the amphitheatre and the theatre which both maintained a solid structure. That afternoon, after our failed attempt to reach Mount Vesuvius because of poor weather, we took a coach to Rome. The

as the Forum and

group spent the afternoon and evening sightseeing in the beautiful city, visiting places such as the Pantheon, Piazza Navona and the Campus Martius. We were then given another chance to break away into smaller groups to make our own individual discoveries, including enjoying the delights of Italian ice cream! On day four we walked to the Roman Forum which still displayed many of the columns that had stood in ancient times. We also saw the Colosseum and took time walking around this magnificent monument.

In the afternoon we explored the Circus Maximus, the Palatine and Capitoline hills and the Imperial Fora. Many of the sites we visited that day were unforgettable. Finally, after much badgering by the students, Mr Noy Scott relented and let us take the metro to the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, which gave our feet a break. At the Spanish Steps, we all huddled together to listen to Miss Pearson detail the story of John Keats, an English poet who had lived in one of the houses next to the steps. Some monument. of the group were fortunate enough to dance with of the group were fortunate enough to dance with a group of lively monks in the street for a religious a group of lively monks in the street for a religious festival, causing much fun and laughter. The last day festival, causing much fun and laughter. The last day was particularly symbolic as we went to St Peter’s was particularly symbolic as we went to St Peter’s Basilica, where we were able to witness the Pope give Basilica, where we were able to witness the Pope give an address, which many would argue to be a once an address, which many would argue to be a once in a lifetime experience. We then walked past the in a lifetime experience. We then walked past the River Tiber, where we saw iconic architecture such River Tiber, where we saw iconic architecture such as the Bridge of Angels and the gloriously restored as the Bridge of Angels and the gloriously restored Ara Pacis. Our trip was sadly coming to end, and in Ara Pacis. Our trip was sadly coming to end, and in the afternoon we drove to the airport and boarded the afternoon we drove to the airport and boarded the flight home. Having walked nearly 40 miles over the flight home. Having walked nearly 40 miles over the course of five days, it is safe to say we were the course of five days, it is safe to say we were exhausted; however, we had gained an invaluable exhausted; however, we had gained an invaluable experience and learned a lot about the past. Many experience and learned a lot about the past. Many thanks to the teachers, who organised the trip and thanks to the teachers, who organised the trip and contributed to making it an amazing excursion; we contributed to making it an amazing excursion; we would recommend it to anyone who is thinking would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about going next time round. about going next time round.

Annabel Fox and Katy Colthup (V)

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

We started the year with confirmation that 60 pupils at St Peter’s had successfully completed a DofE award in 2014/15, including ten recipients of the Gold award. This is a great achievement, and continues to build on the success of the award at St Peter’s year on year.

77 pupils started the Bronze award in September 2015, with 25 at Silver and 18 at Gold level. These 120 pupils have been involved in various activities this year, volunteering for charities and community projects, and learning new skills and physical activities as well as taking existing talents to a higher level. These elements of the Duke

of Edinburgh’s award often require the individual to be autonomous and demonstrate that they can get involved outside the structure of the school programme.

At Gold level participants have to join a residential project, spending at least five days and four nights away from home on a shared activity with people they’ve never met before. This year our pupils have completed a variety of courses including the RYA day skipper course and horse-riding courses, and have learned to fly light aircraft. Social time in the evenings is as much a part of the experience as the formal daytime activities.

The expedition section of the award is organised by the school, and participants are taken through a training programme and a practice expedition before embarking on their qualifying expedition, which is externally assessed. The Bronze award this year stayed close to home with eleven groups walking out of school into the surrounding Vale of York. The Silver and Gold groups completed their practice expedition in the North Yorkshire Moors, and ventured slightly further north into the Pennines to complete their qualifying expedition.

For the expedition section of the award each team has to consider what their aim is, apart from simply completing the route they have planned. The results are presented through words, photos and video, and often give a little bit of an insight into the time that our pupils have been out in the hills with their team. Of the 120 who started an award this last year, all those who made it to the qualifying stage were successful in completing their expeditions. The award is not necessarily completed in one year. There are currently 490 pupils at St Peter’s for whom a DofE award is work in progress. Completing the award is the responsibility of the participant, and the ability to finish what they started is in itself is a key learning experience of the DofE.

A Duke of Edinburgh’s award is so much more than a ‘pat on the back’ for completing a programme of activities. It is recognition of a young person’s successful journey of self-discovery and development, recognised by employers and universities alike for the qualities young people have who’ve achieved a DofE award.

Thank you to all the staff who have given their time this year to support the DofE programme , and to Mr Mike Hall and Mrs Cath Hempsall for masterminding the Silver and Gold expeditions respectively. Congratulations to all those who have completed awards this year, and to those working hard to complete in the near future.

Mr Jon Whitehouse

Girls’ Senior Hockey Tour to Holland

Two senior girls’ hockey teams travelled to Holland over the October half-term to compete in matches against Dutch club sides, and to soak up the culture.

The tour was packed with matches against local sides including Pijnacker, Rijswijk and Noordwijk, all of which were of an extremely high standard. Indeed even Mr Paterson’s RAMP warm-up at the start of the first training session in Noordwijk couldn’t have prepared either of the teams for the pace of their first game on tour. Perhaps when both teams were asked to line up to sing the national anthems we should have realised just how good the standard was going to be! The teams did claim one victory, a 4-2 win over Hisales.

Despite the busy schedule there was time to visit Rotterdam with a full morning spent on a walking tour visiting the many sights of the city including Anne Frank’s house and the narrowest house ever built! Art students in particular enjoyed the morning spent visiting the Van Gogh museum, and a number commented on how useful this visit would be on their return to school too.

Aside from the many cultural visits we also crammed in a lighthearted visit to Walibi World (Holland’s biggest theme park). The highlight of this had to be seeing a number of girls hoisted into the air in the human catapult! The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all involved. Despite the tough opposition, both teams learned a huge amount throughout the trip, both technically and tactically. This was evident in the team play throughout the second half of the season in the senior hockey

teams. The hospitality at the clubs was, as always, fantastic, and a number of new friendships were forged along the way too. Overall, a fantastic experience for all involved!

Mrs Emma Brough

MFL visit to Berlin

At the end of March Mrs Houghton and Mr Grant accompanied a group of six sixth-form pupils to Berlin to support the topic of the division and reunification of Germany studied at A-level. Language skills vital for the A-level were also promoted through immersion in German every morning at the Berlitz Zentrum Sprachschule, located on the historic Friedrichstraße. With our fantastic, knowledgeable tour guides, Barry and Matt, the history of the city was brought to life through visits to the remains of the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, the Story of Berlin Museum, the Olympic Stadium, the TV tower, the Reichstag and Checkpoint Charlie. Free time activities included shopping on Berlin’s most famous shopping street, Ku’damm, and in KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens), Berlin’s version of Harrods. These were all memorable experiences, although the one thing we cannot recall is how many Currywurst (Berlin’s speciality) were eaten, particularly by Niall Collinson. In the short time we were there we really only scratched the surface of what the city has to offer but everyone agreed they would return.

Mrs Houghton, Abi Harrison, Chris Hall & Niall Collinson (LVI)

Science and Religion Visit to London

In June we ventured to London for the third-form’s annual science and religion trip. One of the aims of the trip is to show how many people feel that science and religion do not have to be mutually exclusive. Once again, our distinctive brown uniforms brilliantly contrasted against other school trips that insisted their pupils wore florescent jackets. It meant we could easily navigate the station and the underground together – it being obvious to which group we all belonged.

The trip continues to be co-organised by a team of third-form pupils eager to show their creative and administrative skills.

Valentina Cross, one of the committee members, writes: ‘This year’s science and religion trip was a great success. Instead of going only to the Natural History Museum, pupils were lucky enough to experience the wonders of the Science Museum as well. These two museums helped us make fundamental connections between the two subjects and ensured that there was something for everybody. This trip’s goal is to remind students that science and religion are not totally different things and I believe that each pupil walked away from the day with greater understanding. I would like to thank Mr Bembridge and Mr Stephen for their hard work and dedication in organising this trip: we definitely couldn’t have done it without them.’

We were very impressed with the committee’s organisational skills and their enthusiasm. One of the great successes of the trip was that it prompted Mr Stephen to make his third ever Tweet. It’s worth investigating.

Mr Christien Bembridge

Politics Visit to London

Sixth-form pupils spent an enjoyable day in the heart of political London, one day before the referendum. We arrived mid-morning, in time to walk along Whitehall and pose for photos with the mounted guards at Horse Guards on our way down to Parliament Square. Standing there, we could see the homes of the three branches of politics: the legislature in Parliament, the new Supreme Court based in the ancient Middlesex Guildhall and the executive in the Treasury: cue a quick politics lesson!

On a brief visit to the Supreme Court various Peterites tried out the justices’ chairs for size before we stepped back in time – to the life of Winston Churchill as wartime Prime Minister, who spent much of the war living and working in underground rooms beneath the Treasury. We then headed across to Parliament where our guide gave us an ‘access all areas’ tour allowing us to stand in the Commons and Lords Chambers and go through the voting lobbies. We ended our tour in Westminster Hall where Guy Fawkes OP was tried after the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. (The Parliamentary authorities had taken the precaution of putting today’s Peterites through airport-style security on arrival …). This was followed by a workshop on debating, culminating in a lively debate on lowering the voting age conducted along parliamentary lines in the new education centre.

With time to relax in St James’ Park and shop in Covent Garden, as well as supper in Pizza Express, it made for a very enjoyable day.

Mr Ben Fuller

Music Tour: Barcelona 2016

Encouraged by the pleasant revelation of a warm summer morning, the tour party began their journey to Leeds Bradford airport on Monday 18 July in high spirits. The flight went smoothly and we arrived in Barcelona in the early evening before greeting our courier Marianne, enjoying a well-needed evening meal at the hotel and a good night’s sleep to prepare for the jam-packed week ahead.

Tuesday dawned bright and brilliant, and we boarded the coach to begin our tour of the city and its rich array of attractions. We were treated to stunning views of the Olympic Stadium, the Venetian Towers, the Plaza de toros de las Arenas, and the Palau Nacional. After soaking up the bustling atmosphere on La Rambla after lunch, we began our first musical performance of the week in Santa Maria del Pi, which featured an intimate Catholic mass with the Chamber Choir in a small side-chapel followed by a concert from the Choir and Wind Band in the main nave of the church.

An undercurrent of excitement simmered on Wednesday as the Illa Fantasia water park beckoned. After a fast-paced morning of slipping and sliding, the tour party boarded the coach for Figueres. We enjoyed a whistle-stop tour of the Dali Museum, a quirky and unconventional building adorned with bread rolls and eggs (unfortunately inedible), followed by a wonderful evening concert in Sant Pere church, featuring the Choir and Wind Band, and a sparkling rendition of Fauré’s Pie Jesu from Fleur Booth. The brakes were put on for Thursday, a chilled-out affair featuring an informal performance on an open-air stage (‘basically Glastonbury’) in Poble Espanyol, a microcosmic collection of buildings representing the fifteen districts of Spain. The concert was a hit, and spectators even began to dance to the music! We spent a blissful afternoon on Caldes d’Estrac beach, appreciating the sensory dichotomy of blazing sun and refreshing ocean, before being treated to a delicious meal and coastal views at a beachfront restaurant.

We spent Friday morning relaxing at the hotel pool before catching the metro into the centre of Barcelona. After lunch, we arrived at Blanes church to perform an eclectic mix of sacred and secular music. This was arguably our best concert, featuring pieces from the Chamber, Tour and Clarinet Choirs, Wind and Swing Bands, virtuosic instrumental solos from Sam Lightwing and Rosie Stephens, and an ethereal soprano duet from Fleur Booth and Izzy Crook. We even received a heartening standing ovation to round off what had been a sensational musical treat. To finish the evening, we watched the dazzling beachfront fireworks.

Our final full day in Barcelona was a busy one. The tour party split, with some going to visit the famous Camp Nou Stadium, and others visiting the Sagrada Familia church. I was in the latter group, and I was lucky enough to appreciate the organic architecture of the church, replete with its impressive array of religious statues and iconography. Afterwards, we began our last performance of the tour, a Catholic mass in the magnificent Gothicism of Barcelona Cathedral. Despite Mr M-K’s qualms about the language barrier, the mass ran without a hitch and was a truly atmospheric event. The dinner that followed was definitely the best of the week, as we finally got the chance to sample the Spanish culinary delight of paella! Sunday was a subdued day as we departed from the sunny climes of Barcelona, but not before panic-buying last-minute presents and/or finally giving into the urge to spend those last twenty Euros at Port Vell. It was a truly memorable week for all involved, and a fitting way for the upper sixth to end their musical careers at St Peter’s. Thanks to Mr and Mrs M-K, Mr Wright, Dr Harrison, Mrs Dawson, Mr Grant, Mr and Mrs Edwards, Miss Crawley and Mr Hall for looking after us and organising a fantastic trip, and to our courier, Marianne Sweinink-Harvard whose photographs illustrate this article.

Concetta Scrimshaw, UVI

Ski Trip 2016, Davos, Switzerland

Resilience is a popular word at present and the ski trip provided plenty of opportunity for our students to demonstrate that Peterites possess this quality in abundance! A long coach journey and some waiting around on the first day did not diminish appetites at all and, along with our ski instructors, all were ready for action on the first morning of skiing. We were fortunate to be using one of the best ski hire shops I have ever encountered and the quality of equipment received by the students was first-rate.

The opportunity to ski with instructors whom we brought with us for the trip was arguably the best part of the skiing week. The skiing could be tailored exactly to each group’s needs and skiing could last as long as the students wished. It was a real advantage to be able to sit down each evening and plan the day ahead and ensure that each skier was in the right group and that the instructors could be given feedback on the days skiing. Ski days were full, leaving the accommodation around 8.45 am and returning around 5.00 pm. Davos/Klosters is spread across five mountains and it is a testament to its size that even our most accomplished skiers visited only three of these. The beginners made quick progress and it was great to see their confidence and competence grow through the week. The more experienced skiers made the most of Davos’ greatest asset, the super Paarsenn runs which drop down to Klosters and some explored the Madrisa area on the other side too. With modern GPS technology and ski apps some clocked up over 40km a day. The snow quality was excellent and, despite a little bit of poor visibility at times, the skiing was a real pleasure for all.

After tea there were activities each night of the week. The Eau-La-La swimming pool provided great fun on two occasions – particularly the opportunity to run straight from the snow and dive into the outdoor pool! Bowling (some of which was particularly in need of improving) provided great fun too as did the ski show where the local ski schools demonstrated their skills one evening. The last evening was spent watching HC Davos Ice Hockey team – one of the best in Switzerland – at home in the excellent ice hockey arena. The match was a sell-out and our students blended in well, singing the local songs. The journey home wasn’t quite as smooth as the way out – a snapped snow chain delayed us by a couple of hours and the ferry crossing certainly wasn’t the smoothest. But we made it back on time, all in one piece and having had a great half-term ski break.

I am not naturally inclined to return to the same resort each year, but the overall package was so good here it was an easy decision to return for February 2017.

Mr Steve Gwilliam