Visits and Expeditions

Mission control

In May, nearly 120 Second and Third Year students embarked on a stellar trip to the Astronaut Training Camp at the Euro Space Centre in Belgium.

The journey, Trinity’s largest ever international trip, was the finale to the Second Year’s “year in space” scheme of work in lessons. The debut trip, originally planned for May 2021, could not go ahead due to the pandemic, so last year’s Second Years were invited to join in. When the 2022 trip was advertised, there was so much excitement that places sold out in minutes, so the school expanded the trip’s capacity as much as possible to avoid disappointing students. Once the group touched down in Belgium, the “recruits” got straight to work completing a succession of different space missions. Our young astronauts completed a moonwalk, involving a chair suspended by a spring system which simulated the moon’s gravitational field. Students took massive leaps for Trinity-kind with the help of a VR headset, and completed a full simulation of touch down on the Moon. Most of the team made up Mission Control in the replica control room, while the pilot and commander were in a simulator unit which faithfully replicated a real space shuttle. The recruits made their own chemical rockets from scratch which they launched into orbit on the final afternoon. The rockets used are so powerful that the centre had to let the local air traffic controllers know the launches were going to take place! The students showed amazing teamwork, working together to fix broken satellites, in a zero-gravity environment created by a counterbalance of water, measured out to exactly cancel out their weight. A further highlight was testing their coordination and ability to think clearly under pressure when completing a maze whilst strapped into a gyroscopic chair which spun them in three dimensions; simulating a module spinning out of control when it re-entered the Earth’s

atmosphere. But the favourite activity for almost everyone (except Mr Ryan van Graan) was the rotor where astronauts stood against the wall and were spun so fast that they experienced forces of up to three “Gs”, equivalent to experiencing 3 times the normal gravitational force. They spun so fast that they stuck to the wall, allowing the floor beneath their feet to be removed completely. It left a few staff and students a little queasy! Physics teacher and lead trip organiser Miss Katy Manisier thanked the 13 staff members who helped with the trip, saying the trip was “completely out of this world”.

“Never have I seen so many excited and joyful faces all in one place,” she said.

Second Year Alex Martin said the trip was was “incredibly fun and enjoyable”, and that students would not forget the experiences they had. “We learned lots about science and space through fun activities. The trip was a once in a lifetime experience and I loved it,” he said.

Miss Katie Manisier

A dream of a trip

Eleven members of Trinity Boys’ Choir spent several months in Malmö, Sweden, performing in Sir Peter Hall’s production of A Midsummer Nights Dream.

The boys arrived in late August, and after two weeks of rehearsals, they starred in ten performances at Malmö Opera, concluding in early November. The boys had a personal tutor and completed assignments set remotely by their teachers at Trinity. The boys were Benjamin Gilbert, Victor Lanaspre, Frederic Balcombe and Ben Fletcher from the First Year; Albie Leslie, James Roberts, Arlo Dezille and Luke Thornton from Second Year; and Isaac Rogers, Harry Lamb and Leo Jemison from Third Year. Freddie and James shared the challenging and important role of Puck. The four solo fairies were Leo (Cobweb), Harry (Peaseblossom), Isaac (Mustardseed) and Ben (Moth).

“This is a particularly exciting project for the choir as it heralds a return of international engagements,” says Mr David Swinson, director of Music. “Generations of Trinity boys have performed this Glyndebourne production with distinction, and this is the reason we were invited to perform in Sweden.” The boys also managed to spend some time sightseeing, playing football, and swimming. Leo, who is played the fairy Cobweb, said: “My favourite part of this trip is seeing how well Sweden takes care of their streets and parks and public spaces – and being able to use them.”

Ms Clara Story and Ms Audrey Lenihan

The Cornish depths

In the October half term, nine aspiring scuba divers embarked on a four-day trip to Swanpool Beach, Cornwall.

The majority of us were working towards our PADI Open Water dive qualification, which, if passed, would allow us to dive almost anywhere in the world with another qualified diver, and without an instructor. Other divers were working towards their PADI Rescue Diver qualification. The first day of diving saw excellent weather, with the sea being a little over 15°C, and good visibility, allowing us to observe various types of marine life. After two dives, we warmed up, and tucked into some homemade pizzas. The second day of diving was less inviting, with rain, wind, and large waves all posing a challenge to us. Visibility was next to nothing, and we even had to delay the dives to allow the waves to die down. The conditions were both challenging and daunting to us as new divers. Underwater kit removal and practicing emergency ascents (CESAs) were especially difficult. However, we overcame the adverse conditions.

Overall, it was an incredible experience, and something which we will never forget. A huge thank you goes to Mr Hicks, Ms Rebecca Goddard, Mr Tom Richmond and Mr Hamish McDougall, without whom diving at Trinity would not be possible. Lucas Rebato and Jay Rabheru, Lower Sixth

Wider horizons

Over the October half-term, a group of Lower and Upper Sixth English students made their way to Bath and Bristol to soak up the cities’ literary and cultural highlights.

Despite Covid reducing the contingent a little, students were able to enjoy a range of activities, many of which linked into their A Level studies. These included some lively visits to the House of Frankenstein and the Jane Austen Museum in Bath, as well an Austen-themed walking tour of the city and a trip to the Bristol Old Vic to watch a fantastically musical production of Wuthering Heights. They had a tour of Bristol’s most famous street art, as well as a graffiti tutorial; a visit to the University of Bristol and a specially put-on lecture at the English department; a visit to the M-Shed museum, including the deposed statue of Edward Colston; and a boat tour of the city. They attended a talk and Q&A on diversity in literature and the publishing industry, took a trip to watch the Austentatious improv show and even saw a Halloween screening of Batman at the Arnos Vale cemetery.

It was a jam-packed trip, but one enjoyed by students and staff alike. Following the disappointment of being unable to travel to New York due to Covid, Bath and Bristol stepped up magnificently to entertain and inspire our English students, and I’m sure it won’t be long before we return.

Mr Andrew Magee

Surf and turf

This year, GCSE Geographers embarked on day trips to Cuckmere and Seaford on the south coast for the Fourth Year, and Stratford in East London for the Fifth Year.

Cuckmere and Seaford

The sun shone beautifully for the annual Fourth Year visit to Cuckmere and Seaford on the south coast in May. The easy access to some stunning scenery and strong geographical features (both human and physical) meant that it was perfectly situated for students’ coastal fieldwork at GCSE.

Whizzing down to the south coast, we arrived at Cuckmere Haven where students measured beach profiles, investigated the extent to which the beach had been affected by natural processes, and furthered our understanding of salt marsh formation. After lunch we hopped over to Seaford to examine the huge differences in coastal profiles either side of some monstrous coastal defences. With more than sufficient sunshine experienced, we headed home pleased to have furthered our understanding of how the coastal processes affect this sceptered isle.

Stratford

Way back in November, before the rise of the Omicron variant, the Fifth Year travelled to East London to take a look at the changes to the Stratford area post-Olympic regeneration. Students picked their own transect across the site measuring environmental quality, land use as well as interviewing locals in the area.

We collected data on a much-debated development, enabling us to draw conclusions about how different groups have been affected. Students were able to reflect on the importance of primary and secondary data collection along with the use of precise sampling techniques. Mr Sebastian Munday

Shifting sands

The Geography department’s first trip back to Trinity’s Boetius Centre in a couple of years began with much anticipation in September for the Lower Sixth, as they travelled to study coastal systems.

On our arrival at the Boetius Centre, Trinity’s outdoor base in the Brecon Beacons, the vales of Glynneath seemed to welcome us like old friends. After breakfast the next morning, we set out into the brilliant South Wales sunshine for our initial pilot studies at Kenfig Dunes, one of the largest active sand dune systems in the entirety of Europe. A brief smattering of rain soon cleared, as we concluded our studies and moved to Porthcawl for an assessment of coastal management there. The day concluded on Sandy Bay with fish and chips and a most excellent game of beach cricket. Notable mentions must go to Messrs Pillai and Bodle for their superb innings. The morning sun broke through a fine mist the next day as several of our most intrepid Lower Sixth students took part in what has been described as the “best ever” 6am run club with Miss Webber. Heading back from the Henrhyd Falls (aka Christopher Nolan’s Batcave from The Dark Knight Rises), they returned to the rest of the group excited for the next day of geographical exploration. Arriving at the seafront in Porthcawl, students were treated to a delightful tasting menu of geographical techniques relevant to possible future human studies. After a few hours grappling with Welsh accents whilst carrying out questionnaires, the students retuned to the promenade for some evaluative time. Having found the department’s new choice of location for fieldwork quite amenable, we boarded the faithful school minibuses to return home.

Mr Chris Ruck

Cultural melting pot

Lower Sixth Geographers journeyed out into London’s Brick Lane to sample how different waves of ethnic and class diversity have affected the area.

Brick Lane’s existence has been relatively important as a place of transition since the 1500s, but has been made all the more relevant to recent geographical studies with the arrival of various migrant groups since the 17th Century.

Our unit on “Diverse Places” specifically asks us to study ways in which areas have changed as different communities have moved in and out of locations, and Brick Lane is a perfect place for this. From the Huguenots of the 1680s to the Jewish communities of the 17th and 18th centuries, all the way through to Bengali migrants post World War II and the recent wave of gentrification, never before has one street acted as such an intense area for study. Hopping off the train at Shoreditch High Street, we headed to the world famous 24-hour Beigel Bake to sample traditional Jewish style filled beigels in honour of one of the distinctive communities which has left its mark on the area. Smoked salmon and hot salt beef consumed, we began our walking tour with the L6 students acting as guides from their pre-prepared research.

Weaving our way past curry houses, converted breweries, churches and mosques, it was a joy to take in the sights and sounds of the multicultural melting pot that is Brick Lane. We’ll definitely be back for another taste. Mr Chris Ruck

Around the Globe

The First Year spent their first Field Day on a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe theatre in London in September.

The day began with a tour of the reconstructed theatre, with Globe actors giving the boys an introduction to Jacobean London. They provided an insight into performance on the Shakespearean stage, as well as explaining what it would be like to be part of an often rowdy contemporary audience. The tour was followed by a Julius Caesar acting workshop in one of the rehearsal rooms used by actors who perform at the world-famous theatre. This served as a perfect dress rehearsal for the students who study Shakespeare’s political tragedy in the spring term. After some suitably dramatic, and increasingly loud, performances, it was time for lunch on the Southbank. After refuelling for the afternoon, the year split into groups, with each visiting a different historical attraction: The Clink or The Golden Hinde.

Unsurprisingly, a prison and Sir Francis Drake’s globe-trotting ship provided plenty of interest for the boys. A host of gruesome stories were told at each, with students relishing accounts of fearsome prisoners and violent mutinies. Despite several threats to make students walk the plank of The Golden Hinde, all lived to tell the tale and return to dry land for the journey home.

Mr Andrew Magee

A Grand Day Out

In late June, the whole Junior Year went down to Cuckmere Haven on the Sussex coast for their annual “Grand Day Out”.

We opted for a coastal adventure this year, compared to our urban exploits of previous years. Parking up at High and Over, we scrambled down the slopes next to the Litlington White Horse to begin our walk along the Cuckmere River. The 3.5 mile walk was accompanied by a brilliant scavenger hunt, and we made our way to the beach in no time at all. After a brief lunch, our time was spent on a host of other amazing activities including the inaugural Trinity Nerf Throwing competition, a race to find crab shells or the most spherical pebble, a spot of cricket and lots of other games. A full day complete, we boarded buses and headed back to school. Some say this was the best Junior Grand Day Out yet. Mr Chris Ruck

Into the woods

April saw Second Years taking a trip to Winnie the Pooh’s neck of the woods as they embraced a day out in the Ashdown Forest.

Ranging poles in hand, they hiked down to the river, stopping off along the way to admire the views of the valley and complete a field sketch. The rest of the day involved measuring variables such as river width, valley gradient and river speed. River depth, however, was often measured rather enthusiastically using the tops of wellies! The boys clearly enjoyed getting out for some primary data collection after so long, and it was a joy to take the classroom outside for the day. We were lucky with the weather, and it was dry for most of the day. However, we took the Winnie the Pooh approach to the drizzle that the afternoon threw at us: “When life throws you a rainy day, play in the puddles.”

Ms Antonia Prestney

Meridian and Underground

Third Year Geography students enjoyed a trip to the Maritime Museum in Greenwich and later completed a “Tube Line Challenge” collecting data from all the London tube lines.

The Third Year visited the Royal Maritime Museum in Greenwich on Field Day in March, and spent the day investigating some of the amazing stories of exploration and endeavour that have shaped our world today. Particular highlights included steering a virtual container ship through to dock at New York Harbour, as well as learning about the movement of people, goods and ideas across and around the world. Finding out about the connections played a huge role in helping us understand the shape of the world we live in today. The boys then spent the rest of the day completing a treasure trail, deciphering clues to discover the location of hidden treasure. With excitement ramped up in lessons beforehand, the students were excited to be embarking on the Geography department Tube Line Challenge in May. Form groups conquered the District, Jubilee, Victoria, Metropolitan, Northern and Central lines (but sadly not the new Elizabeth line which opened the day after), collecting data on inequality as part of their unit on global development. Mr John Savile’s and Mr Jack Munnery’s groups made trips all the way out to Amersham and Epping respectively. Minds were opened, and great geographical questions asked. Students left with a whole new appreciation for both the London Underground and the varied nature of our capital city. Mr John Savile