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P7 Visit Lake Garda
Delight in Learning
P7 Visit Lake Garda
Our Primary 7 pupils had a fantastic time last week in Lake Garda. What a way to finish their time at Junior School! Mrs Gravina has written a fantastic itinerary from the 5-day trip!
"Primary 7 children are all back home safe and sound after 5 incredible days in the Lake Garda area, packed with cultural and fun activities. The flight back to Edinburgh was slightly delayed due to French air traffic control strike (again!!!) but this did not stop our school party from having a great time!
On the first day we went to Castiglion delle Stiviere, the birthplace of St Aloysius Gonzaga. The visit of the Basilica was a very special moment for members of the Gonzaga House. The Church was built by the Jesuits in 1608 and it preserves the major relic of the saint: the sacred skull, enclosed in the urn on the main altar. There are many images depicting the moments of his life and his glorification. We all prayed for our Aloysian community then walked a short distance to the walls of the castle, where St Aloysius was born. Afterwards, we stopped to enjoy a delicious ice-cream, a favourite treat that the children looked forward to throughout the trip!
Day two was spent in Milan. We were warmly welcomed by children, staff and parents at Jesuit school Leone XIII. Our children started the morning with a prayer and a song, both in Italian and English and received a friendship bracelet from their peers! We all felt blessed by the hospitality but slightly envious as the children proceeded to show us around their school and its facilities, including a theatre, a church, a swimming pool and fantastic sports grounds, all in the heart of Milan! Our children were real ambassadors for the College and had an opportunity to experience the culture and the language of the country, engaging in a variety of activities with their peers. Italian children and staff are looking forward to visiting us in Glasgow in the future. The day continued with more surprises and generosity when we arrived at the National Museum of Science and technology, where pen-friends and staff from Istituto Albavilla Como welcomed us with banners and beautiful gifts - an emotional afternoon indeed. This was followed by the visit to the magnificent Gothic cathedral, Duomo di Milano.
Day three was a full day at the wonderful theme park Gardaland! Needless to say, it was Dr Brady, not the children, who was at the front of the rollercoasters, and not miss a single ride! Children were ecstatic but also mindful of their less-adventurous peers and staff members!
Day four started with a tour of Malcesine Scaliger Castle followed by Monte Baldo, enjoying the most spectacular views of Lake Garda from both the rotating cable car and the peak of the mountain.
The afternoon was spent in the beautiful city of Verona, UNESCO World Heritage site. After a quick visit to Romeo and Juliet’s balcony, we headed to the Arena, one of the oldest Roman amphitheatres, still in use due to its great acoustics and busily being prepared for the opera season. P7 girls bravely performed their own “Cup Song” in the arena, which visitors found delightful. The tasty pizza at a restaurant in the main square went down really well.
On the last day, we had a boat tour from Garda to Sirmione. Francisca was delighted to find out that the risk assessment was less complicated than the walk in the busy city centre of Milan, as we were boarding the covered boat!
We then departed to the airport travelling through France then Switzerland, admiring the glaciers at the feet of Mont Blanc."
See more photos from the Lake Garda trip- https://bit.ly/2K9j1Qz
