On Tuesday 1st July Elmwood pupils went on their first overseas residential trip in collaboration with the Matrix Trust. I was lucky enough to accompany 4 pupils on the trip (2 girls from year 9 and 2 boys from year 10).Despite souring temperatures and lots and lots of walking, our pupils were impeccably behaved and showed real maturity and resilience. Day 1 was a long day travelling as we headed down to Gatwick airport to meet our flight into Rome. Following a short delay in the airport we were finally off on our travels and arrived to our university accommodation near the city centre.
A bright early start on day 2 started off at the supermarket where all pupils (there were 55 of them in total) chose their own food and snacks for the day, and off we went to The Colosseum. The largest ancient amphitheatre did not disappoint and the very busy metro journeys were certainly rewarded with the breathtaking sights when we arrived. A short trip to The Forum showed us the heart of ancient Rome, which has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world! Our afternoon adventures took us to a local Gladiator school where participants were able to pit their skills and strengths to an immersive session of training and combat. Our day was made complete with a meal at a local restaurant….and most importantly a great source of air con that cooled the 37 degree heat down enough for us to enjoy bruschetta and pizza.
Day 3 enabled us to take in the sights of The Spanish Steps, The Trevi Fountain, and the Piazza Navona, and still have time for shopping! Pupils enjoyed experiencing the Roman shops, the amazing gelato Roman ice cream stalls, and the endless (thank goodness) water fountains that provide all visitors with an endless supply of much needed fresh water to help cool in the intense temperatures. Our evening meal was situated in a really beautiful Italian restaurant that enabled us to be seated spilling along the cobbled streets of Rome and enjoy authentic cuisine with a beautiful back drop. This is where the romance really kicked in and several pupils were bought red roses…it really is true what they say that apparently Rome is the city of love.
Day 4 saw us head off to Ostia beach and spend the afternoon playing on the waters edge and enjoying the beach – a fabulous end to a busy few days with a relax on a sun lounger! All too soon it was time to pack our bags and head home but with memories that will last forever and new friendships that will be cherished for a long time to come.
I am incredibly proud of all of the pupils that attended the trip and allowed themselves to be challenged on our school’s first international trip. Thanks to their conduct and maturity making the trip a huge success, we are already planning future trips for others to enjoy.
