Students embark on an unforgettable journey across Beijing

Our recent school trip to Beijing provided Year 9 Mandarin learners with an extraordinary opportunity to extend their learning far beyond the classroom. Over an unforgettable seven-day itinerary, the group immersed themselves in China’s rich historical heritage and dynamic contemporary culture.

The journey began with the challenge of climbing the iconic Great Wall at Juyongguan, followed by visits to some of Beijing’s most significant imperial landmarks, including the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and the magnificent Temple of Heaven. Students were able to bring their history studies to life while also gaining insight into Confucian philosophy through a visit to the Temple of Confucius.

Alongside these historic sites, the trip offered a wide range of hands-on cultural experiences. Students participated in traditional tea tasting, a calligraphy workshop hosted by a local family, a Kung Fu session in a local square, and a memorable hutong rickshaw tour through Beijing’s historic neighbourhoods. They also explored the city’s modern creative side at the 798 Art Zone, practised their bargaining skills in Mandarin at the Silk Market, and enjoyed spectacular acrobatic and Peking Opera performances.

By stepping outside their comfort zones, embracing new experiences, interacting with local people and trying authentic Chinese cuisine, students developed greater independence, cultural awareness and global perspectives. The trip not only deepened their understanding of China but also created lasting memories and friendships that will stay with them for years to come.

A big thank you to Mrs Barelli, Mr Cogavin, Mr Boison-Filipiak and Ms Li, who helped organise and accompanied the students on this memorable trip!

Exploring Life in Roman Britain: Year 8 Visit to Bath

Our Year 8 Latin students recently brought their classroom studies to life with an immersive, hands-on trip to Aquae Sulis (modern-day Bath). Moving away from the classroom, the students spent the day walking in the footsteps of the Romans to better understand the realities of life in Roman Britain.

The day centred on a lively and collaborative workshop where students acted as historians, debating the provocative question: “To what extent was Aquae Sulis a typical Roman town?” By carefully analysing authentic artefacts and examining regional evidence, the students weighed the impact of Roman cultural influence against the site’s unique local character. This exercise encouraged them to look beyond surface appearances and consider how diverse cultures blended during this fascinating period of history.

Following the intense debate, a guided tour of the iconic Roman Baths allowed everyone to walk through history and experience the architectural brilliance of the ancient world firsthand and to feel a connection to those who visited this sacred site two millennia ago. Ultimately, it was a day when the history they study in class became real, giving everyone a much clearer, more vivid picture of what daily life was actually like in Roman Britain.

Year 12 ESS students gain first-hand fieldwork experience in Sitges

The Year 12 IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) students recently travelled to Sitges, near Barcelona, as part of their Internal Assessment (IA) fieldwork. During the trip, students collected primary ecological data in a local dune system, investigating topics such as sand compaction, vegetation cover, biodiversity and human impacts on coastal environments.

Working alongside staff, students were joined by students from our sister school in Paris for this trip. Together, they used a range of fieldwork techniques including quadrat sampling, transects and environmental measurements to gather data for their individual research projects. The trip provided an excellent opportunity to apply classroom learning to a real-world environment and develop practical scientific skills.

In addition to the fieldwork, students explored the local area and gained a greater understanding of the challenges involved in balancing tourism, conservation and sustainable management of coastal ecosystems. The experience was both educational and enjoyable, and the data collected will form the basis of students’ ESS Internal Assessments over the coming months.

Year 8 students explore history and culture in Paris !

This month, our Year 8 (5e) students went on a residential trip to explore Paris. From the grandeur of Versailles to the collections of the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée des Arts et Métiers, they discovered some of the places and ideas that have shaped French history and culture, bringing their classroom learning to life.

One of the many highlights of the trip was undoubtedly their evening at the Comédie-Française to watch Le Malade Imaginaire. Seeing Molière performed on stage brought a text studied in class to life in a way no lesson ever could. To make the evening even more memorable, the main actor Guillaume Gallienne came to greet our students after the performance! Of course, there was much more to the week than museums and monuments. Travelling together, navigating the métro, sharing experiences and spending time with friends all contributed to making this a rich and rewarding trip.

Thank you to the teachers and staff who made this trip possible.