Once again, March was a very busy month for the Italian department.

Italian Trip to Rome

In the first week of March, 36 of our Year 9 and 10 students and 4 staff members travelled to Italy for an unforgettable cultural expedition in the heart of Rome. The group stepped back in time at the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, where they walked in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators. A visit to the Vatican City provided further awe, with students marvelling at the scale of St. Peter’s Basilica and the breathtaking artistry of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.

Beyond the historic landmarks, the trip offered a vibrant taste of modern Italian life and a chance to practise the language for real! A fascinating walking tour led the group through the city’s winding streets to iconic spots like the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, while a behind-the-scenes visit to Gelateria Fassi, a traditional ice cream factory, proved to be a firm favourite. The students were fantastic ambassadors for the school, showing great curiosity and enthusiasm throughout. It was a wonderful four days of discovery, laughter, and authentic gelato. Particular thanks go to Ms Jennings, Mrs Armari, and Mrs Share for their invaluable help accompanying us on the trip.

Mrs Evenden

Visit from our Italian partner school

In the penultimate week of term, Presdales had the privilege of hosting and spending time with students from the Liceo Dante Alighieri in Ravenna on their trip to the UK. On Wednesday, the partner school was welcomed warmly by Year 10 Italian students, where they introduced themselves and got to know each other over a classic British biscuit! The students then went off in pairs to their lessons where the Italian students had the opportunity to see what it is like to be in lessons in British schools. The Italian students saw a range of Year 10 lessons from Art to Business and enjoyed seeing how different the British school system is to the Italian. Following from this, the Year 12 students had the opportunity to practise their Italian whilst giving the visitors a tour of the school and taking part in a Q&A session. It was a brilliant experience for them to use their language and act as ambassadors for the school. 

After a lunch in the canteen and enjoying catching up with their partners outside, the Italian students then met their Year 9 groups ready for their walk to Ware. In their groups, students had the opportunity to show the Italian students the town centre and their favourite places to go whilst completing the Ware discovery challenge. 

On Thursday, the Year 10 students made their way to London to meet their partners for a day of sightseeing. With their groups, the students spent time exploring the V&A and completing their challenge. The students enjoyed exploring the different rooms and exhibitions, including the Great Bed of Ware! Taking the tube altogether, the students headed to Lincoln’s Inn Fields for a picnic in the sun. After enjoying the good weather and chatting over a sandwich, all made their way to Covent Garden for a spot of free time and shopping! With a train to catch, it was time to say arrivederci and alla prossima to the partners, with promises to stay in touch being said by all! 

The visit from the exchange school was a fantastic opportunity embraced by all years to practise their Italian and make friends. It was great to see so many students showing off their fantastic linguistic skills as well as getting to know more about Italian culture. We look forward to seeing them again next year!

Miss Rose