This week in our Wednesday assemblies, we have been treated to some wonderful presentations from our Year 8 students. They have each chosen a place of interest from the recent Renaissance Trip and researched the topic in considerable depth.  Each student has put together a slide presentation to accompany their delivery, which has largely been extempore or with a few prompt notes. Their diligent research has been most evident, and even the younger children have been intrigued.

Renaissance literally means ‘rebirth’ and refers to the rediscovery of ancient wisdom; the most well-known example being the Italian Renaissance which is often simply referred to as ‘The Renaissance’. The reason for its pre-eminence is because of the resulting array of art which has been left for posterity in the galleries of Florence. The famous artists of this time, such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michaelangelo, were nourished by the flow of ancient manuscripts pouring into Florence. Marsilio Ficino was a leading figure in the scholarly circles making these documents available through translation into Latin. He led an academy, based on Platonic ideals, which was attended not only by the scholars of the time but also some of the now famous artists.

This connection of the past, the present and the future which the Italian Renaissance embodies is a source of hope in difficult times. True wisdom is for all time, and the concerns of the present can be brought into perspective by building on the past and being mindful for the future. The Irish philosopher, Edmund Burke, once said that society is “a partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born”. Our senior students, through their study of the Renaissance and the amazing opportunity to experience its fruits first hand, will naturally gain an insight into this important perspective.