Xaverian College students of Ancient History and Classical Civilisation recently embarked on an unforgettable journey through Greece, immersing themselves in the rich history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes of this ancient land.
The adventure began at the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion, where students marvelled at the temple’s dramatic cliffside setting overlooking the Aegean Sea. At Delphi, they explored the sanctuary of Apollo and learned about the Oracle’s prophetic influence on the ancient world. The group then travelled to Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, where they stood in the original stadium where the games took place, and visited the museum showcasing artefacts from the site. They even had a race with a gold laurel wreath being awarded as the prize!
In Mycenae, students uncovered the ruins of the legendary city of King Agamemnon before heading to Epidaurus, home to an ancient theatre renowned for its perfect acoustics. Their journey concluded in Athens, where they explored the National Archaeological Museum, the Theatre of Dionysus, and the iconic Acropolis, including the Parthenon and the Agora. A visit to the New Acropolis Museum provided a deeper understanding of Greece’s artistic and architectural legacy.
This incredible trip brought history to life, offering students a firsthand glimpse into the world of ancient civilisations. A truly inspiring experience!
Students were amazed by what they saw on the trip and made these comments on their Greece experience, Daniel Lowe said: “The trip was amazing!! I loved all the hotels we stayed at and the social aspect of it as I made many new close friends. All of the sights we visited were extremely beautiful and educational with my favourite definitely being the acropolis. Best trip ever!”
Tyla McEachern commented: “It was such an amazing trip! I loved seeing the sights and the places we learn about in person. I especially liked Delphi and thought it was really beautiful. I also really enjoyed bringing my film camera along and taking some lovely photos.”
Avery Gunn, commented: “Being given the chance as a classics student to be exposed to some more ancient history-based knowledge helped me build a better picture of the periods I study. The trip as a whole reaffirmed to me the importance of studying Classics through allowing me to better understand the enormous impact ancient societies have had upon the Greek world. I’d return in a heartbeat!”
Violet McCoy added: “It was mesmerising to get the opportunity to visit the places we’d learnt about in class. Such a memorable experience, especially seeing the Acropolis of Athens. I’d recommend the trip to other students as it was equally enjoyable and educational.”
Classical Civilisation and Ancient History Teacher, Will Dearnaley, who accompanied the students on the trip, said: “It is trips like these that help bring to life a period of history in the distant past and, only by seeing first-hand the artefacts and visiting these ancient sites, can students build a picture in their minds of what it was like during this period of history and the influence this has had on modern-day society. The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all and one that will continue to be offered to enhance the learning experience of our Classics students.”
Earlier in the year, students also visited the British Museum and the University of Warwick to attend the University’s biggest outreach event, Warwick Ancient Drama Festival to watch Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, a play which follows King Agamemnon’s return to Argos after the Trojan War, where he is met by his wife, Clytemnestra. Harbouring deep resentment for Agamemnon’s sacrifice of their daughter, Iphigenia, Clytemnestra enacts her revenge by murdering him and his concubine, Cassandra.
The department is also celebrating students’ Oxbridge success, with five recently receiving offers to study at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge:
Abigail Branney, St Monica’s RC High School – University of Oxford, Classics with English, Latin and Greek
Avery Gunn, Marple Hall School – University of Oxford, English and Spanish
Grace Cooke, Denton Community College – University of Cambridge, Human, Social, and Political Sciences
Jessica Scully, St Monica’s RC High School – University of Oxford, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History
Roselynn Gumbo, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls – University of Oxford, Classics
Will added: “This is such an achievement and shows how valued our subjects are at the top universities. Classics students have an enviable track record of success in gaining places at competitive universities and I’m sure our students will be equally successful this year.”
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. Visit xaverian.ac.uk to find out more.