Last week 40 Year 10 students swapped the North East for the Eternal City, embarking on a Roman adventure that proved once and for all that Ponteland High knows how to travel in style. Along with Mrs. Heath, Ms. Baker, Mr. Jones, Mr. Benn, and Mrs. Digby, we didn’t just see Rome—we conquered it.
The Grand Tour (and the Step Count to Prove It)
Our first mission? Mastering the art of the Roman walk. We navigated the winding cobbles to find the famous Trevi Fountain. From there, we scaled the Spanish Steps and visited the Keats Shelley museum, learning all about how famous poets spent time in Rome. The culture hit high gear at the Barberini Art Gallery. Between the Caravaggios and the dizzying ceiling frescoes, we managed to absorb some genuine Baroque brilliance. Of course, no trip would be complete without a pilgrimage to The Vatican. We marvelled at Michelangelo’s magnificent ceiling in the Sistine chapel and were lucky enough to be in St. Peter’s Square at the same time as the Pope!
A Masterclass in Italian Dining
We didn’t just come for the history; we came for the carbs. Our evenings were spent exploring a range of authentic Italian restaurants, where we learned that:
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Real Italian pizza beats a takeaway every time.
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There is no such thing as “too much gelato.”
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Italian waiters are surprisingly patient when faced with 40 hungry teenagers trying to remember the Italian for “more bread, please.”
The Colosseum: A Very British Roman Experience
They say the Gladiators faced many challenges, but did they ever face a Roman downpour? As we stood before the magnificent Colosseum, the heavens didn’t just open; they staged a full-scale intervention. We did our best to keep spirits high, but by the time we left the arena, we were probably carrying half the Roman water supply in our shoes. It was a true test of grit—and a reminder that even in Italy, you can’t escape the rain. Luckily we were able to dry off by partaking in some well deserved retail therapy in a very busy (but thankfully dry) shopping centre!
Rome wasn’t built in a day but we certainly saw most of it in our 4 days!. We returned to Ponteland with exhausted legs, suitcases full of souvenirs, and memories of a trip that was, quite literally, legendary.
Ciao for now, Roma!
