Our Year 8 students recently returned from the trip of a lifetime, visiting many of the places they have studied over the years.  We would like to share accounts from two of our students:

Summer Chen’s Account

The Year 8 students of Ficino School were immensely privileged to go on an European journey this September, immersing ourselves in the arts of the Renaissance era. As one of these fortunate students, I remain extremely grateful for this unique opportunity, an experience unparalleled by other schools at our age. Our expedition through Italy and the UK provided an timeless immersion into the rich historical and cultural aspects of the Italian Renaissance and the Ancient World, enhancing a lifelong appreciation for the arts, humanities, and the everlasting legacy of the Renaissance.

Of all the breathtaking sights we saw in England, Westminster Abbey left the deepest mark on me. To stand amongst the memorials to scientists, poets, leaders and great thinkers was truly awe inspiring. I first saw Westminster Abbey on television in 2022, during the Coronation of King Charles III. This year, I’ve had the privilege of walking through those very halls I marvelled at a few years ago, a dream come true. Being in a place of such grandeur, swimming with the echoes of the past, and a palpable sense of history made this visit to Westminster Abbey, an experience I’ll cherish for eternity.

Among learning and immersing ourselves in the past, the Renaissance Trip was basically a crash course on life skills. This journey was not only educational but also transformative, allowing me to grow personally in different areas too. I learned the value of staying organised and managing my time properly, especially with a packed daily schedule. Following instructions, waking up at a set time, and getting myself sorted for the day soon became a second nature while on this trip.These seemingly small and simple tasks helped me develop a greater sense of responsibility and discipline.

The Renaissance Trip was more than just a school excursion; it was a life-changing experience, one that I have carved deep into my memory. It ignited within me, newfound curiosity and passion for history and the arts that will undoubtedly impact me in the future. The opportunity to explore the birthplace of the Renaissance and walk in the footsteps of historical monuments was a privilege I will never forget. As I look back on this journey, I am eternally grateful for the memories, the lessons learned, and the immense impact it has had on all those who went on the trip.

Thank you,

Summer

Chloe Zhao’s Account

I want to start off by saying I am immensely grateful to the Educational Renaissance Trust for their generous support of the whole trip and in particular our recent stay at Waterperry House. Their support not only made the stay possible but also allowed us to share the experience and art with our friends and families back at home.

For me, the highlight of the trip was the tour of the frescoes in the Waterperry House. They depicted stories from the Upanishad of the Hindu tradition. I’ll begin by telling you what fresco is. Fresco is a very old but ethereal technique that involves painting with a water based paint directly onto wet plaster so that the paint becomes an integral part of the plaster. Not many people use this technique nowadays and it was truly amazing to see modern paintings using fresco. The frescos were in a room with shards of sunlight filtering through the skylight above, there are three levels to this room; the Earthly realm where we humans dwell, at the bottom. This is a place of change and doing. The Sky/middle realm where the universe and subtle amorphous spirits dwell. And finally the subtle Heavenly Realm. Each of these frescos unfold; capturing the essence of the Upanishads revealing profound truths through vibrant colours and intricate details.

The bottom level has stories from the earth; a sage seated beneath a banyan tree, his face a canvas of serenity as God’s messenger swirls around him in a flurry of gold and white, a student travelling to the ends of the earth to find the source of holy water and immediately sacrificing his precious pots of holy water to relinquish a donkey from its thirst on his way back, there were two birds; one who feasted upon the fruits of the Earthly realm, the other watching from above not indulging in the earthly pleasures but observing.

The middle level (the Sky Realm) is a cosmic dance of creation. Celestial bodies dance amongst swirling galaxies. The deep blue night pulses with life, the moon casting its mellow light onto earth. This realm illustrates the interplay between the physical and spiritual realms, here the colours urge the viewer to recognize their own divinity and how they are a reflection of the divine.

On the top most level (That place) the gentle brushstrokes convey the stillness of meditation. The vibrant red, blue and yellow are the only signs of colour, the top most level stripped of any earthly luxury to the most primary colours, like a base. I felt a kind of stillness on the level the white illustrated the theme of inner peace and as you step back you do feel at peace.

My personal favourite story was of the man who went to the ends of the earth to collect holy water in his pots, only to sacrifice the holy water on the way back to relinquish a donkey of its thirst. I think this story teaches us to think of others around us, sometimes we are so engrossed in ourselves that we aren’t awake to our surroundings.

To conclude I just want to say a huge thank you on behalf of the Yr 8 students from Ficino to the Education Renaissance Trust for funding a big part of our trip and our wonderful stay at Waterperry.

Chloe