Sixth Form Russian Conference

On Friday 22nd November, a group of sixth form students went to the Russian Conference which took place at Oxford High School. It was a long journey there and back but well worth it! The conference was opened by Dr Roy Allison, lecturer from Oxford University, who gave a speech on the fall of the Soviet Union and Gorbachev`s new thinking. It was a very interesting insight into Russian modern history. Oxford professors Andrew Khan and Julie Curtis continued the conference talking about Russian poetry, starting from Alexander Pushkin all the way through to the symbolism in Alexander Blok`s poems. The highlight of the Conference was the talk given by Sir Christopher Mallaby, the former British Ambassador to West Germany, who was in service during the fall of the Berlin wall. It was tremendously exciting for the students to hear stories about Soviet spies and the behind the scenes work of the British Embassy. All the Presdales students enjoyed the Conference and were very glad to meet up with fellow students from the schools across the UK who also study Russian as an A-level option. It is fair to say that the trip was not only of educational value (mock exams are starting next week!) but also very pleasant.

Mrs O. Parry