... were the words many of our Year 12 and Year 13 students exclaimed, pleaded and sang, as the curtain fell on our time in the capital on Saturday. After leaving the barricades on Friday night, our students were in awe of the spectacular staging of Victor Hugo's tragic tale of optimism in the face of tyranny. Even when the train arrived to Bring us Home, students still mused over the most poignant parts, and some - inspired and enthused by the stage production - spent the train home watching the film version of Les Miserables!
After an early start on Thursday, our annual London tour opened with a quick bag drop at the accommodation, referred to by students as 'The Gen', and a scenic walk to Borough Market to explore the vast array of taste sensations on offer for lunch. Appetites quelled, we wandered to the Houses of Parliament where we were privileged to be an audience to live debates in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Then, it was our turn to put our debating skills to the test, as students partook in a workshop involving roleplay to pass a law. What ended up a very theatrical debate, our students were able to enhance their understanding of language in context, aptly utilise the language of the law and of debates and provide lots of humour and laughter too! The practitioner was full of praise for the energy and enthusiasm the group provided.
The curtain opened on our busier second day with a visit to the British Library. English Language students marvelled at original printed texts such as Coverdale's bible, the first bible to be printed in English. They were so enthusiastic they emailed Mr Stewart immediately with a photo! English literature students were fascinated to read a letter written by Queen Victoria to the prime minister, outlining her opposition to women's rights, which encouraged them to engage critically with Victorian societal views towards The New Woman in relation to Stoker's Dracula. Others were enthusiastic at listening to interviews by Toni Morrison to help them with their study of Beloved, as well as seeing Shakespeare's first Folio.
We then headed to Shakespeare's Glove for a thoroughly engaging, interactive and thought-provoking workshop with Chu Omambala. Beginning with a tour of the open-air theatre, students asked lots of questions about original performance techniques and styles. Afterwards, Chu led a university-style lecture which quickly became more of a seminar because our students were so keen to discuss with him the characterisation within King Lear. This session followed with an interactive workshop which encouraged students to discern between power and status. Our students were so enthusiastic, Chu really didn't want to end the session and even extended the session to engage more with discussion, telling me afterwards that the group were the best he had ever led. Our students really were stars in their multitudes and were a credit to both themselves and the school.
We dreamed a dream where the final day would not come, but we made the most of our last few hours in the capital by visiting the British Museum. Students were keen to see as much as they could, including the Rosetta stone, the Egyptian mummies, various artifacts from Ancient Greece and Rome and the Library of Exile.
Our Year 12's enthusiastically asked whether they could come again next year and so the look forward to one day more in the capital in Year 13.
