Current Classic Civilisation and Ancient History students have just returned from a fascinating trip to Athens in Greece, where they got the opportunity to see ancient Greek monuments and sample Greek cuisine, see beautiful theatres and visit museums.
Deniz Daryaei Sarab, who is studying A Levels in Ancient History, Classical Civilisation, and Philosophy, Ethics and Religion, commented on the trip: “The Greece trip was phenomenal, it was amazing to see parts of the culture we are studying in Classics in front of us and be able to put ourselves in the places of ancient writers. Seeing the sites and museums will really help with visualising texts and connecting with the texts in class. I particularly enjoyed going to the Delphi archaeological site because of the vast contributions to it from many parts of ancient Greece, as well as going to the National Archaeological Museum and being given a ‘treasure hunt’ to do with other classmates. It helped me with getting to know other Classical Civilisation students as well as giving a mesmerising insight into objects of the past.”
As well as visiting the Delphi site, the students took part in visits to Thorikos Rectangular Theatre, Ergasterion workshops, Theatre of Dionysus and Perikles’ Odeion, the Acropolis, Agora Museum, Argos Odeion and Theatre, Epidaurus Theatre, Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion and the National Archaeological Museum.
Dom Wathey, studying A Levels in Philosophy, Ethics and Theology, History and Geography, said: “I really enjoyed Delphi, as I wasn’t quite expecting the awe which would come with the views. I expected such amazing views from the Acropolis, but this was truly a hidden gem. Packed with history too, it also offered a great image of where the Greeks would have gone now whenever Delphi is mentioned on the course.”
Classical Civilisation and Ancient History Teacher, Will Dearnaley, who accompanied the students on the trip, said: “We’ve had an exciting and fulfilling year in the department with lots of student success in gaining places at some of the most prestigious universities and degree courses in the UK.
“The trip to Athens was the icing on the cake! It was great to see the students enthralled by the beauty of ancient Greece and to see these sights visually bring to life what the students learn in the classroom. The sites and theatres of Greece are always amazing to see and we got the chance to sample the wonderful, local Greek cuisine.”
Earlier in the year, students also visited the British Museum and next up, they will be heading to the University of Warwick to watch Aristophanes’ Assemblywomen, an ancient Greek comedy.
Classical Civilisation and Ancient History A Level students are ending the year on a high, with many students currently preparing for interviews for sought-after Degree programmes at many prestigious universities, including the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge.
Amongst our high-flying students, ‘Class of 2022’ students, Jessica Scanlon and Abigale Pole progressed to Oxford, studying Classics and Oriental Studies and Classics with English, with other students such as Ruth Kenyon studying Classics at Kings College London and Benedict Pih studying Ancient History at the University of Glasgow.
Will added: “We wish all our recent students the best of luck for the future, and we are sure they will go on to have amazing careers.”
As one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the region, Xaverian College offers an extensive range of A Levels in addition to several BTEC courses. Applications are still open for our A Level and Applied courses starting in September 2023. Visit xaverian.ac.uk to find out more.
