Ratcliffian 2016 (LOWRES)

RESIDENTIAL TRIPS
Art Trip to Venice
In October we took a number of students
from Years 10-13 to Venice.
BIOLOGY FIELD TRIP
On Friday 30 th October a group of seven Year 13
Biologists set off on a coach to the FSC field centre
in Preston Montford, Shropshire, to study practical
Ecology.
RESIDENTIAL TRIPS
They carried out random sampling in grassland using frame
and point quadrats, they became practised in the identification
of numerous grassland plant species and learnt how to apply
the ACFOR scale. A visit to Crosemere Lake to study hydroseral
succession along a 60m interrupted belt transect saw students
sampling the plant communities and evaluating numerous
abiotic factors. A pond study in the unique Wetland Ecosystem
Treatment System to sample the freshwater invertebrate
communities was also carried out. The abundance of specific
indicator species was compared in the water of the field pond
and in the dark water of the eutrophic and hypoxic final swale
(affectionately nicknamed the ‘poo pond’)! The laying of
Longworth small mammal traps yielding three wood mice and
one vole was undoubtedly a highlight of the trip.
The work ethic and enthusiasm shown by all of our biologists
over the course of the three days was excellent and it was a
thoroughly enjoyable experience for staff and students alike.
The flight time was a very reasonable couple of hours, and
what a view to the south for those of us who had not visited
Venice before, as we approached Marco Polo Airport along
the coast to see the spires of this most famous city rising
out of the early morning haze. Our
hotel was a 20 minute walk from the
station, and it gave us an opportunity
to soak in the atmosphere; what a
packed city it is! Although there are
no cars, the congestion is more than
made up for with the thousands of
visitors, those staying on the island
and those being disgorged by the
hundreds from the many huge ocean
liners which berth in Venice. Arriving
before lunchtime on the first day gave us an opportunity to
make the most of our time there, and Miss Wright set a good
pace as she guided us through the narrow alleyways and
arched bridges to see the main sites.
We were fortunate that the Biennale was on and so we
headed for that, a fair walk away, and made even more
tiring by our already exhausted bodies; some students
had not slept the night before. But the exhibition was
worth the pain, with each country’s
pavilion offering a new set of work
or an installation to marvel at. There
were favourites of course, one of mine
being the Australian Pavilion and the
wonderful metal and paper pieces by
Fiona Hall. The following three days
were a blur of stunning churches,
galleries and incredible views, with time
to draw, time to explore and time to
learn. The Palazzo Grassi, St Mark’s
Square and the Basilica, The Peggy Guggenheim Collection,
Accademia Galleries, Ca D’oro were all visited. The trip
ended with another early morning start and the walk back
the way we had come, over the Constitution Bridge and back
to the mainland. I think it is fair to say that the impact of
the trip took us a few weeks to fully absorb, and we are all
intellectually wealthier for it.
Mr Dominic Berry
Head of Art and Design
A huge thank you and well done to Carrick Anderson,
Charley Flowers, Charles Grattan, Archie Herrick, Lauren
Mulla, William Smith and Helena Yu.
Mrs A Dungey
Biology Department
YEAR 7
TRIP TO
THE BRIARS
On 14 November, 20 Year 7 students spent a
weekend at the Briars retreat and residential in
Derbyshire. The students engaged in a number of
teambuilding games led by Acclimbatize. There
were many opportunities for the students to reflect on
their relationships with God, their friends and family.
The students also helped write group prayers and
reflections, in preparation for the celebration of Mass
on the Saturday evening. The final activity involved the
students reading out personal affirmations about each
other which had been written during the weekend.
Mr N Walsh
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