Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming students from Padova for a truly memorable exchange. It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved, and many lifelong friendships were made. Read on for highlights from Sixth Form students Demelza (SFC2) and Dolly (SFC1).
Our week began on Monday with a special introduction to CLC’s renowned Prayers in the beautiful Princess Hall. The Italian students were amazed by its atmosphere, history, and tradition. Following this, lessons began, giving our guests a taste of the CLC timetable. Italian featured regularly, alongside sciences and humanities. We also discovered some fascinating differences between our education systems, including the fact that schools in Padova offer subjects such as law and psychology as part of their core studies.
At lunchtime, the students experienced dining in a Boarding house and had the chance to explore the school further. After school, we enjoyed a guided tour of the College, visiting well-known spots such as the Bunny Run and the Milky Way. Mr Todd delivered an engaging presentation on the school’s history, from its origins to the present day, and we also visited the CLC archive (museum). The day ended with supper in the Bayshill Dining Room, where everyone shared their first impressions.
The rest of the week continued with lessons, alongside a variety of cultural activities. On Wednesday, we held a relaxed ‘tea and chat’ session, discussing school life and rules while exploring British culture through film clips, including Four Weddings and a Funeral. We also shared Italian comedies and music, including the work of Checco Zalone. Some even took the students out into town after school for acai bowls!
On Thursday, after a full day of lessons, Mr Todd returned to tell us about the ghosts of CLC’s past, with a particular focus on former principal Dorothea Beale - an intriguing and memorable talk.
We ended the week on a high with a celebratory party on Friday. There were plenty of Italian and Venetian treats to enjoy, including Gocciole, Pan di Stelle, and other specialities. We shared our favourite moments from the week before playing games such as Duck, Duck, Goose and Imposter. It was a joyful and lively way to conclude the exchange.
Saying goodbye was not easy, but the week was a huge success, filled with learning, laughter, and new friendships. A big thank you to the Italian department and all the students who helped organise such a rewarding and unforgettable experience.
Demelza, SFC2
Each of us was paired with an Italian student, which gave us the opportunity to practise our language skills in a natural, everyday setting. We helped them with their English while they supported us in improving our Italian, thus allowing everyone to benefit from this experience.
Communication was quite difficult at the start with the language barrier; however, it quickly became smooth and engaging. Through conversations, shared activities, and time spent together, we learned more about Italian culture, especially what life and school is like for young people in Italy and the things they enjoy.
The exchange was a fantastic way to build confidence, step outside our comfort zones, and strengthen our communication skills. Having had the chance to visit Liceo Duca d’Aosta a few years ago, I felt especially lucky to reconnect and see this friendship between our schools grow even stronger!
Dolly Evans, SFC1
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